May 28, 2018 - A bridge is not just a convenient structure which connects two points by spanning a river. In fact, aside from their functionality, bridges are architectural inventions where architects can express their creativity. With countless different designs of bridges scattered all over the world, many bridges have today become attractive landmarks. Here are the most beautiful bridges in Bar, Montenegro, that you should definitely visit!
- The Old Bridge
The finest of all Bar's bridges is the Old Bridge in the village of Turčini. This bridge, built over the river Rikavac, has a tall and elegant arch that connects the 13.5 m distant coast. The pillars of the bridge are located in the rocky cliffs of the Rikavac river canyon. The bridge is used mostly for pedestrian traffic, and it is 2,3 meters wide. It was built of beautiful melted stone of an irregular shape.
- Velji most (The Great Bridge)
The largest stone bridge on the Rikavac river is called Velji most. The legend related to this bridge says that the river Rikavac torrents have continuously destroyed all wooden bridges built over the river. One time, when the wooden bridge collapsed, a Turkish tax collector drowned in the river. His horse that carried all of his bags full of gold had managed to survive the crash. Later, using that gold, a solid stone bridge was built, and the peasants called it Velji most. The legend also states that on November 23, 1994, while withdrawing towards Shkodra, the Germans destroyed the newly built bridge. A new bridge was built in its place.
- Virski most (The Whirpool bridge)
Virski most, built in 1905, is a cultural and historical monument. The bridge was also used as a reference in old Montenegrin poems. It was built during the reign of Prince Nikola I Petrović. Virski most is 46 meters long, 5 meters wide and has three arches. The bridge was damaged over the years, so in 2016 it was reconstructed. That was a construction project to which the Bar municipality and the state of Montenegro had paid particular attention because every stone was returned to its original position and thus retained the authenticity of both the bridge and the Virpazar region.
- Stone bridge
Bellow the Old Bar Fort lies a stone bridge 22 meters long. It is specific for its three semicircular openings of different sizes (the first 6,5 meters; second 2,5 meters and the third 1 meter long). The bridge was built for pedestrians only and has a width of 1,9 meters.
