Deep in the forest of Paphos and towards mountainous Limassol, there are three medieval bridges, known as the ”Venetian Bridges” of Cyprus. Built by the Venetians [1489 – 1571 AD], the three bridges used as cross-points within the area, connecting villages and cities.
The Venetian Bridges used to be meeting points and important localities; today they are protected by the Antiquities Law due to their historical and archaeological importance. Apart of a crossroad within mountainous area, connecting villages and cities, the three bridges were used for the transportation of copper from the mountains of Troodos to Paphos and Limassol. The transportation of copper ore was made by caravans of camels.
The Tzelefos Bridge
The largest medieval bridge of the area, but also the largest in Cyprus, Tzelefos bridge is hidden in the heart of Paphos forest. It is situated in the borders of Paphos and Limassol Districts, between Myllikouri, Vretsia, Agios Nicolaos, and Pera Vasa close to the Arminou Dam. The bridge was used to cross Dhiarizos River. It is built of local material (river stones and pebbles and carved stones) ad it is an one-arch stone structure. In each entrance point of the bridge, there is a waiting point for people, demonstrating that there was intense activity at the area during the medieval times.
In ancient times, the bridge was also called ”Vokaros” (Βόκαρος) meaning ”separating”. The current name ”Tzelefos” (greek: Τζελεφός) means ‘weak’ or ‘sick’ and comes from the word ”shell” (gree: κέλυφος). This name could be connected to a person or an incident during the construction of the bridge. Tzelefos bridge is one of the three Venetian bridges (Elia’s Bridge and Roudhias Bridge) that comprise the complex of Venetian bridges built to provide to people access through the area.
The Roudias Bridge
The bridge of Roudia (Γεφύρι του Ρουδιά) is situated at Xeros River, in an overgrown area in the deep Paphos forest. The location of the bridge is very isolated, towards the Pera Vasa and towards Panagia Village. It was constructed with the use of local material and curved stones.
The Elia bridge
The Venetian bridge of Elia (Γεφύρι της Ελιάς) is situated in the District of Limassol and between Tzelefos Bridge (Paphos district) and Kaminaria Village (Limassol District). Its name derives from an olive tree that stood at the location before the bridge was built. The name is also associated with the nearby village of Tris Elies (Τρεις Ελιές). In the old times it was the only passage for travellers from and to Paphos. The road lead to Tzelefos Bridge and then Roudias Bridge, the two other medieval bridges of the area. The bridge is an one-arch structure built of local material and carved stones decorating the arch.
Research and Text: : @cyprusarchaeology
Photos: @cyprusarchaeology
Bibliography & Source:
cyprus archaeology gazette 