The legendary bridge of Arta, a landmark of the city, took its final form in 1612. However, the foundations of the bridge show that there was a bridge in this position from the classical or Hellenistic times. The last addition was in the times of the Ottoman domination, when the road was lifted, so the bridge took its present look.
Legend and crafts meet on this wonderful building, which is also the most impressive reception of the city to the visitor coming from the west, as well as the most impressive farewell to the one who met her and said goodbye to her.
The story of the bridge of Arta is much older than what you might think, influenced by the well-known folk song and the time it stands for. Its present appearance is the end of many additions and reconstructions of the original building. The structure and construction itself testify to the various phases of project completion and lead us to the beginning of its history.
It is well-known in the Panhellenic district the demarcation of the “Bridge of Arta”, where 45 craftsmen and 60 students built it, rebuilt it and it did not steal it. This fiction can be based on the various phases of bridge construction even in the army of Arachthos, which may have often destroyed human labor. This parody gave food to thought to many writers throughout the world, and it is no coincidence that based on this, two plays have been written and even an opera.
Next to the bridge is the plane tree of Ali Pasha, which is a perennial tree. The locals say that Alis sat in his shade and saw hanging from his branches those who had condemned to death.