List of bridges in Albania

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,[2] located in the village of Poshnjë, it dates back to the late antiquity.

The longest spanning bridge is the Shushica Bridge (520 m), 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.[3] 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.
1Kasabashit BridgeUra e KasabashitCultural Monument26 m (85 ft)Masonry
1 pointed arch
Footbridge
Vlosh
1640Çorovodë
40°30′56.3″N 20°14′34.6″E / 40.515639°N 20.242944°E / 40.515639; 20.242944 (Kasabashit Bridge)		Berat County[4]
2Vizier Bridge
submerged		Ura e VeziritMasonry
Footbridge
Drin (river)
17th centuryKukës
Kukës County[5]
[6]
3Kamara BridgeUra e KamaresCultural Monument40 m (130 ft)Masonry
2 segmental arches
Footbridge
Shkumbin
1715Mirakë
41°10′14.0″N 20°15′43.7″E / 41.170556°N 20.262139°E / 41.170556; 20.262139 (Kamares Bridge)		Elbasan County[7]
4Mesi BridgeUra e MesitSpan : 21.5 m (71 ft)
Cultural Monument		130 m (430 ft)Masonry
13 semi-circular arches
Footbridge
Kir (river)
1768Mes
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]
[8]
5Bahçallëk Bridge
destroyed in 1880		Ura e BahçallëkutMasonry
5 semi-circular arches

Drin (river)
1768Shkodër
42°02′32.6″N 19°29′34.5″E / 42.042389°N 19.492917°E / 42.042389; 19.492917 (Bahçëllëk Bridge)		Shkodër County[9]
[10]
6Gorica BridgeUra e GoricësHistoric Centre of Berat
World Heritage Site
Cultural Monument		129 m (423 ft)Masonry
7 semi-circular arches
Former road bridge
Osum
1780Berat
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]
[11]
7Kadiu BridgeUra e KatiutCultural Monument30 m (98 ft)Masonry
1 pointed arch
Footbridge
Lengaricë
18th centuryBënjë-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[12]
8Tanners' BridgeUra e TabakëveCultural MonumentMasonry
2 semi-circular arches
Footbridge
Former Lanë
18th centuryTirana
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]
[13]
9Vasha Bridge (18th century)Ura e Vashës11 m (36 ft)Masonry
1 semi-circular arch
Footbridge
Mat (river)
18th centuryKlos
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[14]
10Kordhocë bridgeUra e KordhocësMasonry
5 arches (4 semi-circular and 1 segmental)
Footbridge
Drino
1820Kordhocë
40°03′39.8″N 20°10′24.2″E / 40.061056°N 20.173389°E / 40.061056; 20.173389 (Kordhocë bridge)		Gjirokastër County[15]
11Beçishtit BridgeUra e Beçishtit260 m (850 ft)Suspension
Steel, masonry piers
Footbridge
Vjosa
20th centuryTepelenë
40°17′51.8″N 20°01′26.3″E / 40.297722°N 20.023972°E / 40.297722; 20.023972 (Beçishtit Bridge)		Gjirokastër County[16]
12Bushtrica BridgeUra e BushtricësHighest railway bridge in Albania
Height : 48 m (157 ft)		255 m (837 ft)Beam bridge
Prestressed concrete
Rrogozhinë–Pogradec railway
Shkumbini
1973Prrenjas
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.
1Drini BridgeUra e Drinit270 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
2024Kukës
42°04′27.9″N 20°24′26.5″E / 42.074417°N 20.407361°E / 42.074417; 20.407361 (Drini Bridge)		Kukës County[17]
2Vasha Bridge
under construction		Ura e Vashës316 m (1,037 ft)Arch
Steel deck arch
Arbër Highway
Mat (river)
2023Klos
41°28′25.8″N 20°06′11.3″E / 41.473833°N 20.103139°E / 41.473833; 20.103139 (Vasha Bridge)		Dibër County[3]
3Fshat Bridge
under construction		Ura e FshatitArch
Steel deck arch
Arbër Highway
2023Klos
41°28′40.3″N 20°04′36.3″E / 41.477861°N 20.076750°E / 41.477861; 20.076750 (Fshat Bridge)		Dibër County[3]
4Buna River Bridge
project		Ura Velipojë - Ulqin139 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		[18]
5Dragot BridgeUra e Dragotit108 m (354 ft)108 m (354 ft)Truss
Steel
National road SH75
Vjosa
1935Tepelenë
40°17′32.8″N 20°04′44.8″E / 40.292444°N 20.079111°E / 40.292444; 20.079111 (Dragot Bridge)		Gjirokastër County[19]
[20]

Alphabetical list

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 2024 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

  • Nicolas Janberg. "International Database for Civil and Structural Engineering". Structurae.com.
  • Others references
  1. 1 2 "Qytetërimi i Urave" [Civilization of Bridges]. Progresibotime.com (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  2. ↑ "Ura e Kaurit (Frëngut) në fshatin Poshnje – DRTK Berat". Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  3. 1 2 3 Rruga e Arbërit Gazetë e Pavarur [Arbër Highway Independent Newspaper] (PDF) (in Albanian). Vol. 3-4 (166). March 2020. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. ↑ "Një pullë poste për Urën e Vezirit" [A postage stamp for the Vizier Bridge]. Gazetashqiptare.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "Ura e Kamares, një bukuri mesjetare e lënë në harresë" [Kamare Bridge, a forgotten medieval beauty]. Afp.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  8. ↑ "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)
  9. ↑ ""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.
  10. ↑ "Albania in the Painting of Edward Lear (1848)". Albanianart.net. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "The bridge of Tabakëve – Historic Monument of Tirana". Tirana.gov.al. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "Ura e Vashës" [Vacha Bridge]. Kultplus.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "Drini Bridge, Kukës, Albania". Maegspa.com - Maeg Costruzioni SpA. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  18. ↑ "Construction of Buna River Bridge in the border area between Velipoja, Albania and Ulcinj, Montenegro". Wapi.gov.me. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  19. ↑ Developments of steel structures in Albania, 2008, p.23
  20. ↑ "Ura metalike e Dragotit" [Dragot metal bridge]. Visit-gjirokastra.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 4 December 2022.

See also

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