Grevena: Historical stone bridges of the Macedonian town

Although Epirus is rightfully the birthplace of very special architectural achievement, another nearby corner of Greece rightly claims its own share of this very unique architectural heritage.

The bridges of Grevena, a town right next to Epirus, in the ravines of Valia Kalda and on the verdant slopes of eastern Pindos, are a rare gem of stone-built architecture that still goes largely unnoticed.

Bridge of Portitsa

Perhaps the only bridge of Grevena with the greatest recognition at home and abroad.

Jutting out like a connecting link in the middle of two imposing towering rocks that create the famous Portitsa Gorge, the bridge is a relatively small stone bridge that was built sometime in the 1700s with donations from a nearby monastery.

Like other bridges in Grevena, the Portitsa bridge crosses the green river Venetiko and ends at a stone path that leads to the village of Spilaio.

The most impressive thing, however, is not the bridge itself but the imposing landscape created by the combination of the stone - raw and built - in the middle of a natural landscape that fascinates in winter and summer with its untamed, beautiful natural wildness.

Aziz Aga Bridge

The longest stone bridge in Western Macedonia is over 70 metres in length, just above the emerald waters of the Venetiko River.

Obviously, taking its name Turkish ruler of Grevena, it is located on the old trade route that connected Epirus with Macedonia and was distinguished as one of the most innovative bridges of the era.

Although no one has said for sure exactly when it was built, most estimates lead to the conclusion that the Aziz Aga Bridge was constructed sometime in 1727 and renovated almost 150 years later.

In fact, foreign tourists who passed the bridge wrote that at the entrance, there was a small bell to warn anyone who wanted to cross the bridge of the danger of strong winds that could throw them into the icy waters of the river.

Pramoritsa Bridge

In the north of Grevena, very close to the borders of Grevena-Kozani prefectures, there is a large arched bridge with a sad but touching story that few know.

Many years ago, a wealthy man of the area had an only daughter who tried to cross the raging river one day. The river, however, was so fierce that it carried the girl away and immediately drowned her in its dark waters.

Deeply saddened, the wealthy father gave all the money he had and asked the master artisans of the area to build a big bridge so that no one would ever drown again in the river Pramoritsa and no one would experience the pain he experienced.

The result was a huge bridge—a real work of art—that stands up to this day. For many years, it was the main road in the mountains of Grevena and Tsotyli.

Bridge of Stavropotamos

Also known as the bridge of Kipouri, the bridge of Stavropotamos—a Venetiko tributary—is one of Grevena's most easily accessible bridges.

The bridge was part of the road connecting Epirus with Western Macedonia for countless years. It was built around 1800 and went through various phases of renovation until it took its current form.

However, as with the other bridges in the area, what captivates the eye is none other than the wild natural landscape that colours the area in a unique palette every autumn and winter, which would be the envy of even the best photographers in the world.

Especially every winter, the image of the bridge in white snow is worth more than anything else.

READ MORE: A guide to Arta – Historical past, active present.