Preveli Bridge
The beautiful arched bridge of Prevelis is met on the way to the homonym monastery and crosses Megas River which empties at the famous beach of Preveli. It was built in the 18th century by monks of the monastery.
Bridges and aqueducts
Although Crete has few large rivers with a continuous flow, numerous historic bridges, arches and aqueducts survive across the island. These engineering works were constructed to provide safe passage over rivers, streams and gorges, as well as to carry water to towns, villages, monasteries and cultivated areas.
One of the best-known examples is the impressive Preveli Bridge, which crosses the Megalos Potamos River. Of particular archaeological importance is the Ancient Bridge of Eleftherna, distinguished by its triangular opening constructed with the corbelled building technique.
Another important monument is the Elliniki Kamara at Vrysses in Apokoronas. Alongside the larger bridges, smaller single-arched stone structures survive in many parts of Crete, once connecting villages, old roads, watermills and agricultural areas.
The Morosini Aqueduct and the other water-supply works of the Venetian period are equally remarkable. Stone water bridges, channels and tunnels carried water over long distances and across valleys, streams and uneven terrain. Their carefully constructed masonry and remarkable durability demonstrate the advanced engineering knowledge of their builders.
Morozini Aqueduct
The Venetian Candia, i.e. the current town of Heraklion, had no water sources and its residents used wells and cisterns for storing rainwater. The general commissioner of Crete, Francesco Mozozini, tried to give a definitive end to this drought by building a colossal project, 15 kilometers long, for transfering water from the springs of mount Youchtas. The terrain of the region required the construction of the aqueducts at Karydaki, Syllamos, Fortezza and Tris Kamares (today's Eleftherias Square) and other technical projects. The water from the sources of Giouchtas area was dumped into the water channel and with natural flow crossed the aqueducts in the area of Sylamos and Fortezza and ended in the famous Fountain of the Lions. The project took only 14 months to complete and was inaugurated on April 25, 1628, on the feast day of Saint Mark, the patron of Venice and operated till 1927. This project was so important, that Morosini minted special coins depicting Zeus pouring water from Youktas Mountain. Nobody was allowed to plant trees at a distance of 10 feet, so as not to damage the channel. [widgetkit id=2091]
Ancient Bridge of Eleftherna.
The ancient bridge of Eleftherna was built in the first half of the 4th century and is preserved in excellent condition, crossing the torrent Chalopotas. Nearby there was another twin bridge that has not survived. It has a length of 9.5 meters and a width of 5.25 meters. It has a characteristic shape, as there is no arch, but a triangular opening (ekforic architecture).
Spilia Aqueduct
At the area of Agia Irini, Spilia, there is the largest of the aqueduct bridges built in Crete. The aqueduct was built in 1830-40 by the Egyptians after the discovery of the ancient aqueduct of Knossos that had a tunnel of 1150m. Therefore, tunnel was cleaned and reused.
Keritis Bridge
The Bridge on the River Keritis is made of stone with three arches and was built in 1908. Adjacent to it, on 1 August 1941 the Germans executed 118 men (with disabled among them) under the despicable charge of resistance against the German invasion in Crete.
Lahanas Bridge
The stone single arched bridge of Lahanas was built in the 19th century to serve those who wanted to cross the river Richtis. According to witnesses, here took place a tragic story. During the exchange of populations between Greece and Turkey, the Christians killed the Turks who were trying to reach Sitia port so as to leave to Turkey.
Platanias bridge
The Venetian stone bridge of Platanias, named San Marco, crosses the river Platanias and is a single arched bridge with an arc length of 17.8m, width of 8m and height 3.65m. The bridge is the longest single-arch bridge in Crete.
Elliniki Kamara at Vrisses
Elliniki Kamara (i.e. Greek Arch) is an arched bridge built in the Hellenistic Era with some later additions (Venetian and Ottoman Era). The name comes from Hellenistic Kamara. The opening of the arc is 11.10m long, 8.40m high and has a width of 3.00m.
Demati Bridge
Near the village of Demati there is a wonderful arched bridge, built by the locals to cross the longest river of Crete, Anapodaris.
