Eleftherna Ancient Bridge
The Hellenistic bridge of Eleftherna is located near the village of Laga in the district of Mylopotamos. It was built in the 2nd century BC and is preserved in excellent condition in a green ravine with cypresses and plane trees. Part of it is carved into the rock. It served the crossing of the Halopotas river of ancient Eleftherna, shortly after its union with the stream of Agia Kiriaki or Farangitis. The easiest access is by following the dirt road that starts just before the parking lot of the Necropolis of Orthi Petra.
The bridge of Eleftherna is 9.5m long and quite wide (5.25m), which suggests that it was on a central road artery of the ancient city. Nearby there was another bridge of the same period, which has collapsed and traces of its walls are preserved on the slopes of the river. Just before reaching the bridge, we can see ancient carved tombs and the cavernous church of Saint Nicholas.
There is no arch, but a triangular pointed arch with the rocky plates placed one on top of the other in a horizontal position. Essentially from one height up, each slab protrudes slightly from the one below it, thus reducing the distance between the side walls of the bridge. At the meeting point of the two parts, long and thick plates were placed directly atop the junction. This specific construction system is called ecphoric and was widespread during the Roman era, before the adoption of the arched bridges.
