Historical monuments are an attraction, they recall important moments of history, but at the same time they serve as a pole of attraction for visitors. They are unique examples of the Εpirotic architectural tradition and modern Greek culture.

The historical and folklore elements of the bridge are really interesting and cover a period from 1863 until today. After all, glamor and historicity belong to the original.

The history of the bridge of Plaka

In this place, known for a long time with the name “Plaka”, there was an old stone bridge which was on the main road connecting the villages of Tzoumerka with Arta. The bridge was supported on one side by a huge rock. A difficult case which resulted in its collapse twice in previous years. In 1860 the torrential autumn rains resulted in the movement of the rock and the collapse of the bridge again.

The reconstruction

Its reconstruction was a matter of priority. The plans of the master craftsmen from Pramanta, Raftanei and Skloupo (today Ampelochori) were excluded, and someone master-George from Konitsa was proposed by Ioannis Loulis. Ioannis Loulis from Kortortsi (today Aetorrachi) who was a typical case of an Epirote sponsor allocated 9,000 grosses for this bridge and his opinion definitely did matter. These are written by Nikolaos Papakostas who knew that the account notes were kept until 1912 in his village Melissourgi.

On the other hand, the historian Ioannis Lampridis mentions Dimitrios Arvanitogiannis from Pramanta as a financier with 30,000 grosses. However, the work was undertaken by the chief craftsman George and the bridge was built in the summer of 1863, but on the day of the inauguration the bridge collapsed.

The new construction

The inhabitants of Tzoumerka were excluded once again. New construction had to be done, the third in a row. Ioannis Loulis gave an amount of over 38,000 grosses, the community of Melissourgoi offered 96,000 grosses, of Pramanta 32,000 and of Agnanta the timber plus 48,000 along with other neighboring villages whose inhabitants also offered personal work. The amount reached 180,000 groschen. This time the project was undertaken by Costas Bekas from Pramanta together with local craftsmen.

From July to September, they built the beautiful, symmetrical, single-arched and imposing bridge with two side openings (relief arches) for the channeling of water in case of flood, with a height of 20 meters and a length of 40 meters.And this almost has the same fate as the previous one because the early first rains forced the rapid removal of its scaffolding with the risk of being swept away by the current of the river. This justified haste caused a slight deviation in the bridge which was not apparent at first glance.

The Greek-Turkish border

The inhabitants of the surrounding villages, despite their efforts and financial sacrifices, did not enjoy the new bridge. From 1881, Arachthos was the Greek-Turkish border, as a result of which the passage was useless until 1913.

The area of ​​Plaka was for 30 years the headquarters of a military base for the guarding of the Greek-Turkish border. Next to the bridge there was an outpost for the control and secure surveillance of the border. Opposite the bridge, the Turks also had their own outpost. The area was in a strategic position and, as it was next, there were many conflicts and deadly battles for its occupation and control.

The Myrofyllo-Plaka agreement

According to the information we can read in Wikipedia, at the inn located next to the bridge on February 29, 1944, the Myrofyllo-Plaka agreement was signed between the main and at the same time conflicting Greek resistance organizations, ΕΑΜ-ΕΛΑΣ (National Liberation Front- Greek People’s Liberation Army), ΕΔΕΣ (National Republican Greek League) and ΕΚΚΑ (National and Social Liberation). The purpose of this agreement was – mainly – to put an end to the civil strife that had preceded the last four months. The negotiations that led to its signing, officially began on February 19, in the village of Myrofyllo of Trikala, hence the name of the agreement.

During World War II, the bridge was bombed by German forces but suffered minor damage. The locals repaired it with cement in 1943.

The latest reconstruction of the bridge of Plaka

In 2007 the bridge was severely damaged – while there were already plans (only on paper of course) to carry out repair work, something that never happened, until 2015 when it collapsed.

The intense climate of frustration changed to optimism when the NTUA (National Technical University of Athens) stated that the Bridge can and should be restored. They underook, immediately, the realization of the preliminary studies. What’s more, they led this effort in close cooperation with the institutions of Epirus, the involved state bodies and the local communities. A collaboration that for one of the few times bore fruit.

According to what we read, none of the modern technologies were used, no hidden reinforcement, not even a kilo of metal from the minimum they had put in the original bridge, focusing on the technicians completing the work “by reading correctly what the master craftsman Bekas with their own craftsmen had done 150 years ago”.

The researchers deciphered the secrets of the original construction, putting in the “microscope” the debris in the riverbed, historical photographs and any other evidence and rational assumptions made up for the partial lack of knowledge. In mid-February 2020, the metal frame that supported the bridge during the works was removed.The people who worked for the success of the cause are rightly proud since the project is the largest stone bridge restoration in the world.

<p>The post The bridge of Plaka – One of the most famous bridges first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>

Unfortunately, it no longer exists because strong rainfall resulted in its collapse.

Nature creates but sometimes Nature destroys.

About Theogefyro

In the Second World War, the Italian planes bombed two bridges in the area. One of them was in the village of Sοulopoulo and the other in Theogefyro. The first was destroyed, but the second was saved because of its position.

The word “Theogefyro” is Greek and it means bridge made by God. The rapids of the river Kalamas together with nature and time pierced the rock and opened a passageway. This passageway took the shape of the bridge through the years. Since most physical events were interpreted as a result of divine intervention the natural bridge was named Theogefyro. Therefore, the traditions and legends could not be missing as for anything that was difficult to interpret divine intervention created ways of saving people.

Theogefyro was located near the village Lithino in a fantastic location. More specifically, going down a path through dense vegetation, you arrived at the bridge. The hum of impetuous waters and the scenery was spectacular. Many people have previously described the unique beauty of Theogefyro.

<p>The post Theogefyro – A spectacular destination first appeared on Epirus Explorer.</p>