You will see stone arched bridges in several parts of the county, samples of excellent technique by the builders of the area.
Their fame was spreading soon throughout Greece and Balkans and that is why we are seeing in many places of Greece (Thessaly, Peloponnese etc) bridges built by craftsmen of Epirus. Most were built during the period of Turkish rule by the need of communication between villages - mostly mountainous - since they had retreat in inaccessible places to escape the Turkish yoke.
The overall build quality was so elaborate and robust, that many of which are in use today.

The name usually it was given by the person who gave money for its construction (hence we meet names of benefactors or villages). Several times, there are two or three names on a bridge that took the name from those persons that assumed the cost of repairing, if it was needed.

The arched bridges have as their main characteristic the arch, which gives them the necessary stability and a special grace and beauty. The bridges are divided into several types depending on their characteristics.

The single-arched bridges were constructed in the places where the river banks had a short distance between and the ground was stable.
The multi-arched bridges were constructed when the distance among the points which they want to connect was relatively big or the soil was not suitable for attachment. At some of these, the bases were in the river, a hard and painful work, which needed the indispensable knowledge of the great art by the master builder.
Villages of the prefecture of Ioannina, which "give birth" to remarkable craftsmen, are Pyrsogianni, Molista, Houliarades, Pramanta, Plikati, Vourbiani etc.

The bridge of Plaka: The historical bridge of Plaka is a masterpiece of folk architecture, a work by craftsmen from Tzoumerka.
Constantine Bekas, 1866, was the master builder. It is considered the most beautiful bridge in the Balkans and the third in Europe.
It has a total length of 61 feet, the central arch is 40 feet big, the maximum height is of 21 meters and the width at the top is 3.20 meters.
It was a border of Greece - Turkey from 1880 to 1912 and also a border of ELAS - EDES from 1943 to 1944.
It suffered severe damage from attempted destruction by German parts of occupying forces in 1944.
It joins the banks of Arachthos River and facilitated the communication between the residents of the villages of the area that are built on the slopes of Tzoumerka.
Today is a starting point for exciting trips by rafting or canoeing on Arachthos river.


The bridge of Noutsos or Kokoras: You will find it on the path to Tsepelovo. A large single arched bridge over Vikos. Built in 1750 by Noutsos Kontodimos which explains the name. The second name derives from the nearby mill owner, who arranged for its repair.

The bridge of Caber Agas: It joins the two banks of Zagoritikos river, in the area near Miliotades. The cost of the construction was undertaken by Caber Agas from whom it got its name.

The bridge of Tsipianis or Grevenitis: Built in 1875 by money of Anastasis Paspaliaris and of Greveniti's residents, over Vardas river.
You'll see it right beside the bridge that is currently used on the road to Greveniti and before Tristeno.

The bridge at St. Minas: a small arched bridge. It is located on the path to Tsepelovo, next to the monastery of St. Minas.

The bridge of Vovousa: A large arched stone bridge that, until today, serves the village that is built on both sides of Aoos river. Built in 1748 and is one of the most beautiful bridges.

Small bridge in Vovousa: You will see it on your left, just outside Vovousa and connects the two banks of a stream, which leads to Aoos river.

The bridge of Konitsa: It's a great arch bridge with a height of 20 meters and 40 meters arc opening.
It is located on the edge of Konitsa and bridges the gorge of Aoos. It was built by the master builder, Ziagas Frontzos who originated from Pyrsogianni in 1870, by money of wealthy residents of Konitsa.

The bridge of Plakida or Kalogeriko: It joins the banks of Vikos and is located in the area close to Kipi. It's a great three-arched bridge with impressive symmetry. The name derives from Seraphim monk from the Monastery of Prophet Elias of Vitsa, who took care of it in 1814. Alexis Plakidas from Koukouli took care for its repair in 1865, from whom it got its name.

The bridge of Paltsa: It connects the two banks of Kalarrytikos river. You will see it next to the new bridge, if you follow the path from Prisilio to Pramanta or vice versa, in Tzoumerka (Katsanochoria).

These are some of the stone bridges located in the prefecture of Ioannina. See as many as you can, depending on your vacation time in the area.