OFTEN OVERLOOKED IN LIMASSOL
EXTENSIVE VENETIAN CAMEL TRAILS
Forming part of a bustling, extensive camel trail, several stone-arched VENETIAN BRIDGES were built throughout Cyprus during the VENETIAN ERA. These camel trails were used to transfer various goods from inland mountainous areas to all of the island’s major coastal ports, and the presence of these medieval structures helped ensure the uninterrupted movement of various cargoes. Crossing both large and small bodies of water, mainly in rural mountainous areas, these bridges also effectively connected several villages and small towns with the larger cities.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Found mostly inland, several VENETIAN BRIDGES still stand gloriously to this day. Becoming somewhat of a tourist attraction in these modern times, however, they serve a completely different purpose today. Several visitors to the island often travel inland to experience them, often using them as a dramatic backdrop for photos, whilst combining their visit with a picnic or a hike across a trail or two.
ONE OF THE OLDEST BRIDGES IN LIMASSOL
This particular Venetian bridge is quite unique as it stands unequivocally in the heart of Limassol’s main tourist area. Taking its name from ‘Potamos’, which translates to river in Greek, this bridge was used to cross a large river, which once flowed all the way down from the inland village of Germasoyia to the city’s coast. Although the river today does not exist anymore, the bridge largely remains intact over a dry riverbed. Often overlooked, it is also in part, generally considered to be one of the oldest examples of this type of Medieval structure on the island.
A BYGONE RIVER
The Potamos riverbed sometimes still fills with water during the winter months. This allows the bridge, on occasion, to serve its purpose, at least for pedestrians, as it’s too narrow for cars and has a set of steps in the middle, which suggests that one of the sides was rebuilt at some stage.
STEPS IN THE MIDDLE
Unusually for a Venetian bridge, the whole structure consists of three arches. Two of the original arches still stand today, but the third is now lost to time. Added later and built from a different stone, the third arch stands at a greater height than the original two. Still not clear why constructed in this way, this well-preserved bridge has steps at the end of the taller arch.
A PROTECTED STRUCTURE
A sign warns that the bridge is under state protection and appeals to street artists not to use the medieval bridge for their creative talents. The concrete slopes of the riverbed, however, are another matter! Covered with street art, these walls, in a funny sort of way, tend to enhance some of the photos taken, often blending the old with the new and bringing the traditional structure firmly into a modern age.
OTHER NOTABLE VENETIAN BRIDGES WITHIN THE LIMASSOL DISTRICT
The Trimiklini Venetian Bridge: This well-preserved medieval Venetian stone bridge is one of the oldest and most famous of the island’s medieval Venetian stone bridges in the Limassol district. Built on the bank of the Kouris River, in the village of Trimiklini, this bridge is unlike most other typical Venetian bridges that feature a single arch. Constructed from local river stone, this bridge features three consecutive stone arches.
The Akapnou Venetian Bridge: This well-preserved medieval Venetian stone bridge located northwest of the village of Akapnou in the Limassol district. Unlike most other typical Venetian bridges on the island that feature a single arch, the Akapnou bridge is unique for its asymmetrical design, boasting two distinct arches
