Friday, June 1, 2012

Elias and Kelefos Bridge


In the upper portion of the valleys of Diarizos and Xeros, in the heart of the Troodos mountains, lie three Venetian bridges - all that remain of a medieval trade route. Unfortunately (unless you are Cypriot or have a superhuman sense of direction) it is very, very difficult to visit these beautiful structures. The current road maps do not match the actual road signs, and through natural wear and tear, many of the site markers have been worn away or have disappeared all-together. But have no fear! The bridges were rediscovered by none other than yours-truly and the dig house posse.







The Elias bridge is built on a tributary of Diarizos and is the easiest of the three bridges to find. With a fresh-water brook running below the stone arch, Elias bridge is a quiet place to meditate and think back to the medieval period when passage over these waterways were constantly being constructed for cross-country trade.






Kelefos Bridge


The Kelefos Bridge is further west, and harder to find. It is close to a more contemporary waterway and the second largest of the three bridges. The stone masonry is stunning and the water, even in the hottest part of the summer, is ice cold.



Roudia Bridge

..........We never found it........but we know its out there somewhere!