There are hundreds of bridges and bridge ruins found throughout Albania. A total of 90 have achieved the status of monument of cultural heritage.[1] The oldest standing bridge in the country is the Kauri Bridge[citation needed], located in the village of Poshnjë, it dates back to the late antiquity.

The longest spanning bridge is the Shushica Bridge (520 m)[citation needed], it crosses the Devoll river as a segment of the Banjë-Gramsh road. The two highest bridges in the country are the Fshat Bridge and the Vasha Bridge, respectively 157 m (515 ft) and 152 m (499 ft) high.[2] They are part of the important Arbër Road project which aims to connect the central region of the country with the western border of North Macedonia in a much shorter period than the old route.

Historical and architectural interest bridges

Only 72 bridges built during the Ottoman period have survived.[1]

Name Albanian Distinction Length Type Carries
Crosses 		Opened Location County Ref.
1 Kasabashit Bridge [sq] Ura e Kasabashit Cultural Monument 26 m (85 ft) Masonry
1 pointed arch
Footbridge
Vlosh
1640 Çorovodë
40°30′56.3″N 20°14′34.6″E / 40.515639°N 20.242944°E / 40.515639; 20.242944 (Kasabashit Bridge)		 Berat County [3]
2 Vizier Bridge
submerged		 Ura e Vezirit Masonry
Footbridge
Drin (river)
 17th century Kukës
 Kukës County [4]
[5]
3 Kamares Bridge [sq] Ura e Kamares Cultural Monument 40 m (130 ft) Masonry
2 segmental arches
Footbridge
Shkumbin
 1715 Mirakë
41°10′14.0″N 20°15′43.7″E / 41.170556°N 20.262139°E / 41.170556; 20.262139 (Kamares Bridge)		 Elbasan County [6]
4 Mesi Bridge Ura e Mesit Span : 21.5 m (71 ft)
Cultural Monument		 130 m (430 ft) Masonry
13 semi-circular arches
Footbridge
Kir (river)
 1768 Mes
42°06′52.1″N 19°34′30.2″E / 42.114472°N 19.575056°E / 42.114472; 19.575056 (Mesi Bridge)		 Shkodër County [S 1]
[7]
5 Bahçallëk Bridge
destroyed in 1880		 Ura e Bahçallëkut Masonry
5 semi-circular arches

Drin (river)
 1768 Shkodër
42°02′32.6″N 19°29′34.5″E / 42.042389°N 19.492917°E / 42.042389; 19.492917 (Bahçëllëk Bridge)		 Shkodër County [8]
[9]
6 Gorica Bridge Ura e Goricës Historic Centre of Berat
World Heritage Site
Cultural Monument		 129 m (423 ft) Masonry
7 semi-circular arches
Former road bridge
Osum
 1780 Berat
40°42′11.5″N 19°56′40.7″E / 40.703194°N 19.944639°E / 40.703194; 19.944639 (Gorica Bridge)		 Berat County [S 2]
[10]
7 Kadiu Bridge [sq] Ura e Katiut Cultural Monument 30 m (98 ft) Masonry
1 pointed arch
Footbridge
Lengaricë
 18th century Bënjë-Novoselë
40°14′39.8″N 20°25′57.0″E / 40.244389°N 20.432500°E / 40.244389; 20.432500 (Kadiu Bridge)		 Gjirokastër County [11]
8 Tanners' Bridge Ura e Tabakëve Cultural Monument Masonry
2 semi-circular arches
Footbridge
Former Lanë
 18th century Tirana
41°19′35.1″N 19°49′33.8″E / 41.326417°N 19.826056°E / 41.326417; 19.826056 (Tanners' Bridge)		 Tirana County [S 3]
[12]
9 Vasha Bridge (18th century) Ura e Vashës 11 m (36 ft) Masonry
1 semi-circular arch
Footbridge
Mat (river)
 18th century Klos
41°28′03.1″N 20°06′16.4″E / 41.467528°N 20.104556°E / 41.467528; 20.104556 (Vasha Bridge (18th century))		 Dibër County [13]
10 Kordhocë bridge Ura e Kordhocës Masonry
5 arches (4 semi-circular and 1 segmental)
Footbridge
Drino
 1820 Kordhocë
40°03′39.8″N 20°10′24.2″E / 40.061056°N 20.173389°E / 40.061056; 20.173389 (Kordhocë bridge)		 Gjirokastër County [14]
11 Beçishtit Bridge Ura e Beçishtit 260 m (850 ft) Suspension
Steel, masonry piers
Footbridge
Vjosa
 20th century Tepelenë
40°17′51.8″N 20°01′26.3″E / 40.297722°N 20.023972°E / 40.297722; 20.023972 (Beçishtit Bridge)		 Gjirokastër County [15]
12 Bushtrica Bridge [Wikidata] Ura e Bushtricës Highest railway bridge in Albania
Height : 48 m (157 ft)		 255 m (837 ft) Beam bridge
Prestressed concrete
Rrogozhinë–Pogradec railway
Shkumbini
 1973 Prrenjas
41°05′55.4″N 20°26′35.7″E / 41.098722°N 20.443250°E / 41.098722; 20.443250 (Bushtrica Bridge)		 Elbasan County [S 4]


Major road and railway bridges

Name Albanian Span Length Type Carries
Crosses 		Opened Location County Ref.
1 Drini Bridge Ura e Drinit 270 m (890 ft) 310 m (1,020 ft) Arch
Steel tied arch
Bow-string bridge
National road SH75
Future A1 Durrës-Kukës Highway
European route E851
Black Drin
 2021 Kukës
42°04′27.9″N 20°24′26.5″E / 42.074417°N 20.407361°E / 42.074417; 20.407361 (Drini Bridge)		 Kukës County [16]
2 Vasha Bridge
under construction		 Ura e Vashës 316 m (1,037 ft) Arch
Steel deck arch
Arbër Highway
Mat (river)
 2023 Klos
41°28′25.8″N 20°06′11.3″E / 41.473833°N 20.103139°E / 41.473833; 20.103139 (Vasha Bridge)		 Dibër County [2]
3 Fshat Bridge
under construction		 Ura e Fshatit Arch
Steel deck arch
Arbër Highway
 2023 Klos
41°28′40.3″N 20°04′36.3″E / 41.477861°N 20.076750°E / 41.477861; 20.076750 (Fshat Bridge)		 Dibër County [2]
4 Buna River Bridge
project		 Ura Velipojë - Ulqin 139 m (456 ft) 310 m (1,020 ft) Beam bridge
Composite steel/concrete
85+139+85
Road bridge
Buna
 Velipojë–Ulcinj
41°52′43.6″N 19°22′38.0″E / 41.878778°N 19.377222°E / 41.878778; 19.377222 (Buna River Bridge)		 Shkodër County
 Montenegro		 [17]
5 Dragot Bridge [sq] Ura e Dragotit 108 m (354 ft) 108 m (354 ft) Truss
Steel
National road SH75
Vjosa
 1935 Tepelenë
40°17′32.8″N 20°04′44.8″E / 40.292444°N 20.079111°E / 40.292444; 20.079111 (Dragot Bridge)		 Gjirokastër County [18]
[19]


Alphabetical list

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Name Region Built Length Width Height Crosses Notes
Beçisht Bridge Tepelenë 1819 200 m (660 ft) 6 m (20 ft) Vjosë Ottoman era, connects 7 villages along the Vjosë river
Brataj Bridge Vlorë 16th century 50 m (160 ft) 4 m (13 ft) 12 m (39 ft) Shushicë Ottoman era
Bridges over Gjanica Fier 1777, 1935, etc The 7 pedestrian bridges that span the Gjanica river are located within the Fier city limits
Old Buna Bridge Shkodër 1889 166 m (545 ft) Buna river
New Buna Bridge Shkodër 2011 275.5 m (904 ft) 13.5 m (44 ft) 6 m (20 ft) Buna river Swingbridge
Bushtrica Bridge Librazhd 1973 50 m (160 ft) Railway bridge
Dragoti Bridge Tepelenë 1935 108 m (354 ft) 5 m (16 ft) Vjosë
Drini Bridge Kukës 2021 270 m (890 ft) 23.213 m (76.16 ft) 10 m (33 ft)
Erzen Bridge Shijak 1949 91 m (299 ft) Railway bridge
Goliku Bridge Pogradec 17th century 17 m (56 ft) 3 m (9.8 ft) 10 m (33 ft) Shkumbin Ottoman era, near the village of Mokër
Gomsiqe Bridge Pukë
Gorica Bridge Berat 1780, 1927 129.3 m (424 ft) 5.3 m (17 ft) 10 m (33 ft) Osum Ottoman era
Kaçarello Bridge Dropull 1780s Kaçarello Ottoman era, located in the village of Hllomo
Kadiu Bridge Përmet 1760 37 m (121 ft) 7 m (23 ft) Lengaricë Ottoman era
Kamara Bridge Librazhd 1715 40 m (130 ft) 3.5 m (11 ft) Shkumbin Ottoman era, near the village of Mirakë
Kasabashi Bridge Çorovodë 1640 26 m (85 ft) 3 m (9.8 ft) Osum Ottoman era
Kordhocë Bridge Gjirokastër 1820 20 m (66 ft) 3.7 m (12 ft) 7 m (23 ft) Drino Ottoman era
Kukës Bridge Kukës Drini i Zi River
Mat Bridge Kurbin 1927 River Mat Named after King Zogu.
Mesi Bridge Shkodër 1768 108 m (354 ft) 3.4 m (11 ft) 12.5 m (41 ft) Kir Ottoman era
Orgockë Bridge Kolonjë 17th century 63 m (207 ft) 3.4 m (11 ft) Ottoman era, has been badly damaged in recent years by heavy rainfall
Pishkash Bridge Librazhd 1973 32 m (105 ft) Railway bridge, segment Elbasan-Prrenjas
Prokop Bridge Himarë 1878 7 m (23 ft) 3.8 m (12 ft) 4 m (13 ft) Ottoman era, located east of the historic center of Himarë
Qukës Bridge 1, 2 Librazhd 1973 30 m (98 ft), 25 m (82 ft) Railway bridge, segment Elbasan-Prrenjas
St. John the Baptist Bridge Moscopole 1771 51.7 m (170 ft) 4.6 m (15 ft) 8 m (26 ft) Ottoman era, connects the village with the St. John the Baptist Monastery.
Shtrezë Bridge Kukës Segment of the Kukës-Shishtavec road
Skavica Bridge Kukës Black Drin tributary Bailey bridge
Tanners' Bridge Tirana 18th century 8 m (26 ft) 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) 3.5 m (11 ft) Lanë Ottoman era
Tarazhi Bridge Rrëshen 1989 800 m (2,600 ft) 38 m (125 ft) Railway bridge
Tatzat Bridge Delvinë 1537-1570 12 m (39 ft) 2 m (6 ft 7 in) 5 m (16 ft) Ottoman era, located in the village of Vergo
Old Vasha Bridge Mat 18th century 11 m (36 ft) 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) 7 m (23 ft) Mat Ottoman era
Vasha Bridge Klos 2021 250 m (820 ft) 158 m (518 ft) Part of Arbër Highway
Velabisht Bridge Berat 1760 70 m (230 ft) 7 m (23 ft) 7 m (23 ft) Osum Ottoman era
Vokopolë Bridge Berat 1750s 43 m (141 ft) Çorofgjat Ottoman era, connecting the villages of Vokopolë and Tërpan
Zëmblak Bridge Maliq 54 m (177 ft) Devoll Near the village of Zëmblak.
Zoto Bridge Vithkuq 19th century 30 m (98 ft) 3 m (9.8 ft) 3.8 m (12 ft) Ottoman era, located at the entrance of the historic village of Vithkuq
Zvërnec Bridge Vlorë 2018 280 m (920 ft) 3 m (9.8 ft) Connects visitors to the Zvërnec Monastery

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Mes Bridge".
  2. ^ "Gorica Bridge".
  3. ^ "Tabakëve Bridge".
  4. ^ "Bushtrica Bridge".
  1. ^ a b "Qytetërimi i Urave" [Civilization of Bridges]. Progresibotime.com (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Rruga e Arbërit Gazetë e Pavarur [Arbër Highway Independent Newspaper] (PDF) (in Albanian). Vol. 3-4 (166). March 2020. ((cite book)): |website= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Ura e Kasabashit në Skrapar drejt rrënimit, asnjë ndërhyrje prej vitesh" [The Kasabashi bridge in Skrapar is about to collapse, no intervention for years]. Vizionplus.tv (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Një pullë poste për Urën e Vezirit" [A postage stamp for the Vizier Bridge]. Gazetashqiptare.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Ura e Vezirit mbi Drinin e bashkuar – Nga Ali Hasani" [Vezir Bridge over the united Drin - By Ali Hasani]. Voal.ch (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  6. ^ "Ura e Kamares, një bukuri mesjetare e lënë në harresë" [Kamare Bridge, a forgotten medieval beauty]. Afp.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  7. ^ "The Mesi Bridge at Shkodra on the Kir river". Albania - Heritage at Risk 2004/2005. p. 32. Retrieved 4 December 2022. ((cite book)): |website= ignored (help)
  8. ^ ""Monumentet i merr lumi", zhduket ura e Bahçallëkut në Shkodër" ["Monuments are taken by the river", the Bahçalek bridge in Shkodër disappears]. Citizens-channel.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  9. ^ "Albania in the Painting of Edward Lear (1848)". Albanianart.net. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Këshilli i qarkut Berat njësia e statistikës" [Berat district council, statistics unit] (PDF). Qarkuberat.gov.al - Republika e Shqipërisë (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  11. ^ "Përmet, restaurohet Ura e Katiut, monumenti i veçantë që daton prej vitit 1700" [Përmet, the Kati Bridge, a special monument dating back to 1700, is being restored]. Argjirolajm.net (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  12. ^ "The bridge of Tabakëve – Historic Monument of Tirana". Tirana.gov.al. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Ura e Vashës" [Vacha Bridge]. Kultplus.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Restaurohet Ura e Kordhocës në Lazarat, Kumbaro: Premtim i mbajtur, monument i shpëtuar" [The Kordhoca Bridge in Lazarat, Kumbaro is restored: Promise kept, monument saved]. Libohovaonline.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  15. ^ "Dëmtohet ura e periudhës romake në Tepelenë" [The bridge from the Roman period in Tepelena is damaged]. Abcnews.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Drini Bridge, Kukës, Albania". Maegspa.com - Maeg Costruzioni SpA. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  17. ^ "Construction of Buna River Bridge in the border area between Velipoja, Albania and Ulcinj, Montenegro". Wapi.gov.me. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  18. ^ Developments of steel structures in Albania, 2008, p.23
  19. ^ "Ura metalike e Dragotit" [Dragot metal bridge]. Visit-gjirokastra.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.

See also

Map all coordinates using OpenStreetMap

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External links

List of bridges in the world
Bridge-related articles
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