Bulgaria - Devil's Bridge

 

Stamp Issue : 1984-10-05 

Devil's Bridge is an arch bridge over the Arda River situated in a narrow gorge. It is located 10 km from the Bulgarian town of Ardino in the Rhodope Mountains and is part of the ancient road connecting the lowlands of Thrace with the north Aegean Sea coast.
It is not certain when the Dyavolski most was built, with various sources stating from the 14th to the early 17th century. The bridge, the largest and best known of its kind in the Rhodopes, is 56 m long and has three arches, but also features holes with small semicircular arches to read water level. The Dyavolski most has a width of 3.5 m and its main arch is 11.50 m high. A stone parapet, 12 cm in height, is preserved on the sides, and breakwaters are placed opposite the stream.
The bridge was proclaimed a monument of culture on 24 February 1984.