- Address: Obala Mića Ljubibratića, Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina , one of the longest underground rivers in the world, Trebyshnitsa , flows through which a bridge was built in the 16th century. What name he wore for the first hundred years is unknown, but since the 17th century he was called Arslanagich.
What is so remarkable about this bridge?
First, its history. Not every day you can see a bridge that has changed its location and carries two names at the same time. The bridge which is so well preserved, despite all the adversity that has happened to it.
And secondly, it is a very beautiful example of medieval architecture. It is believed that he was designed by a follower of the school of Sinan - one of the most famous Ottoman architects, and for the erection of the bridge invited masters from Croatia.
History
This bridge was erected in 1574 on the trade route. He began to be called by the name of the collector of taxes - Arsalan-aga. Across the ferry a guard was placed with a narrow passage protected by thick gates on the first floor, and with strict watchmen on the second. People who wanted to cross the bridge were forced to pay tax. And this case became hereditary, and for several centuries the descendants of Arslan-agi paid tribute. After some time, a village called Arslanagichi appeared near the bridge.
In 1965, the bridge had to go through a serious test. The authorities decided to build a hydroelectric power station. The attraction was in a flood zone, and for more than a year it was under water. Thanks to the protests of the population and the efforts of the Department for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, he received a second life. In 1966, water was deliberately lowered, for two months the bridge was dismantled, each stone was numbered and placed in the next field. Then they began to look for a similar place for its installation - with the same landscape and the appropriate width of the river, and found it 5 km downstream. And then two years later brought the stones on boats and laid in accordance with the marked marks. And, if any stone was missing, they made it an exact copy. And in 1972 the opening of a new old bridge took place.
And the village that used to stand next to the bridge was flooded, and now if you find yourself in that place, you will only see the roofs of several houses peeping out of the water.
The final chord in the history of the bridge was its renaming in 1993 in the bridge Perovic. There is a version that it was done to preserve the attraction and that it could not be destroyed by the nationalists.
Differences of the medieval bridge and modern
The caravanserai built not far from the bridge for travelers' rest did not reach our days. And the guard also did not survive, it was dismantled in 1890, when the bridge was being repaired and then did not begin to be restored. And during the flooding 4 sculptures of lions disappeared, which used to be decorated with a bridge. The rest of the attraction has very well preserved its medieval appearance, and is still open to pedestrian traffic. And still, if you look afar along the river, you will be able to appreciate the originality of two water wheels installed opposite each other, which in the past served to supply water to the fields. Although they are now in working order.
A few figures
The length of the bridge is 92 meters, and the width varies from 3.6 to 4 meters. Large arches rise above the water at 15 meters. And the design of the bridge is facilitated by special windows, which also reduce the head of water during a flood.
How to find?
The Arslanagic Bridge is located in the Gradina district of Trebinje , in the south of Republika Srpska. You can see it from the observation deck near Hercegovachka-Grachanitsa . Or strolling along the street Obala Mića Ljubibratića, which is laid along the Trebishnitsa river.
| | |
| | |
