Eleutherna Bridge

The Eleutherna Bridge is a Hellenistic corbel arch bridge near the ancient city of Eleutherna in Crete, Greece, built in the 2nd century BC to cross the Halopotas river. Measuring 9.5 meters long and 5.25 meters wide, it uses an ecphoric (corbelling) technique where each unmortared limestone slab protrudes slightly from the one below, forming a triangular opening with a span of nearly 4 meters. Part of the bridge is carved directly into the bedrock. A similar second bridge nearby collapsed in the late 19th century. It remains preserved in excellent condition in a green ravine with cypresses and plane trees.