Deep in the Troodos Mountains of Cyprus, you’ll find several old stone bridges built during the Venetian period (1489–1571). These bridges once served as part of trade routes connecting the island’s towns and ports. Now, I’ve always had a soft spot for medieval remnants like these. I once visited several old stone bridges in Zagori, in the north of Greece. So when I plan a road trip through Cyprus, one thing is certain: I want to see some of these unique bridges. In this article, I’ll take you along to two of these ancient Venetian bridges in Cyprus.
Venetian bridges in the Troodos Mountains
A number of Venetian bridges can still be found in and around the Troodos Mountains. The best-known ones are Roudias Bridge, Mylos Bridge, Skarfos Bridge, Kelafos Bridge, Venetian and Lovers Bridge, Elia Bridge (Elias Bridge) and Tzelefos Bridge. In addition, there are some old bridges located on private property, which are not accessible to visitors. On my route through Cyprus I pass by Elia Bridge and Tzelefos Bridge, both picture-perfect examples.
Elia Bridge (Elias Bridge)
Elia Bridge is a fairly small stone bridge located right next to the road. You can park your car on a narrow roadside strip, and from there it’s just a short walk to the bridge. I’m here in November and there’s no one else around. Wonderfully peaceful! The only downside is that by this time of year the trees are already quite bare; less ideal if you’re into photography. October would probably be a better time to visit, with warmer autumn tones in your photos. You can walk toward the bridge on the right side; this path also leads you on top of the bridge. If you stay to the left, you can reach the water level. Be careful though, especially in autumn, when fallen leaves make it dangerously slippery. But in my opinion, being down by the water gives you the best photo angle.
Tzelefos Bridge
When you follow the road southwest by car, you’ll reach Tzelefos Bridge after just a few minutes. There’s a large parking area here, and I can imagine it gets quite busy in summer. This is a lovely spot to wade barefoot through the water while enjoying the view of the bridge. In November, the sun sits fairly low, especially if you visit in the afternoon. Be sure to walk behind the bridge, where you’ll get a beautiful backlit view of Tzelefos Bridge. Such a wonderful place!
Venetian bridges trail
Hiking enthusiasts can enjoy a walk along the Venetian bridges in the Troodos Mountains. The trail takes you past Elia Bridge, Tzelefos Bridge and Roudias Bridge. These three bridges were once part of the main route used to transport copper from the Pera Pedi mine to the port of Paphos. Camels were mainly used for the transport. Once they reached the main road, horses would take over to carry the cargo on the final stretch to the port. You can start the trail in either Kaminaria or Vretsia. If you walk the entire route, you’ll cover 19.3 kilometres. It’s also perfectly possible to hike just parts of the trail:
- Kaminaria – Elia Bridge: 3.8 km
- Elia Bridge – Tzelefos Bridge: 3.3 km
- Tzelefos Bridge – Roudias Bridge: 9.1 km
- Roudias Bridge – Vretsia: 3.1 km
How to reach these old stone bridges in Cyprus
It’s not difficult to reach these stone bridges by car, both bridges are clearly marked on Google Maps. If you don’t have a rental car, it’s best to book a day tour, for example through Get Your Guide. Several guided tours to the Troodos Mountains are available, and they almost always include a visit to at least one of the Venetian bridges.
Combine the Venetian bridges with other beautiful spots in Cyprus
Are you driving around Cyprus with a rental car? Then you’ve got all the freedom to explore whatever you like. In my opinion, some must-see places alongside the Venetian bridges are the charming villages in the Troodos Mountains, Limni Pier, the Edro III shipwreck, Aphrodite’s Rock, the Vateri Trail and the Bridge of Love.
