Greece: The oldest bridge in Europe still in use

The Arkadiko Bridge, also known as the Kazarma Bridge, is considered one of the oldest bridges in Europe that is still in use. It is located in the southern region of mainland Greece, on the Peloponnesian peninsula. The bridge is situated near the modern road from Tiryns to Epidaurus and it remains an important landmark and functional feature of the area.

Dating back to around 1,300 BC, the Arkadiko Bridge was constructed to link the ancient city of Epidaurus with Mycenae. It served as part of a military road network during that time. Despite its ancient origins, the bridge is frequently used today.

The Arkadiko Bridge measures approximately 22m in length, 5.6m in width, and 4m in height. While it is predominantly used by pedestrians, its original purpose was quite different. Archaeologists have discovered that the bridge was originally designed to accommodate horse-drawn chariots. It served as a vital transportation route for moving goods and facilitating the movement of Greek troops across the country.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Arkadiko Bridge is its construction. The bridge has withstood the test of time without the use of mortar or any form of binder. Its stability is primarily attributed to the weight of the limestone blocks and the symmetrical placement of these blocks on the vertical axis, a construction technique known as Cyclopean masonry.

Cyclopean masonry involves using massive limestone boulders that are roughly fitted together with minimal space between adjacent stones. The boulders are often unworked, although some may have been roughly shaped with a hammer. The gaps between the boulders are filled with smaller chunks of limestone. This technique can also be observed in other well-known sites such as Mycenae and Tiryns, where a significant portion of the walls was constructed using this method.

Although the Arkadiko Bridge may be the oldest bridge still in use in Europe, it is not the only one of its kind in the area. In the broader vicinity, there are four known Mycenaean corbel arch bridges near Arkadiko, all of which belong to the same highway between the cities of Epidaurus and Mycenae. These bridges share similar design, providing valuable insight into the infrastructure and transportation systems of the time.