The Arkadiko Bridge: The oldest preserved bridge in Europe

The bridge was built between 1300 and 1190 BCE, is an ancient Mycenaean bridge located near the road from Tiryns to Epidauros in Argolis, Greece.
Constructed during the Greek Bronze Age, the stone arch Arkadiko Bridge is not only one of the oldest of its kind but also remains crossable to this day. It holds the title of the oldest preserved bridge in Europe.

Hidden in the serene landscape of Argolis, Greece, lies the Arkadiko Bridge, an astonishing relic of Mycenaean engineering that has withstood the test of time for over 3,000 years.

The Arkadiko Bridge

Built between 1300 and 1190 BCE during the height of the Greek Bronze Age, this simple yet robust stone arch bridge remains one of the oldest surviving examples of its kind and stands as a remarkable testament to the ingenuity of the ancient Mycenaeans.

Located near the ancient road from Tiryns to the healing sanctuary at Epidauros, the Arkadiko Bridge was part of an important route that linked two major centres of the Mycenaean civilisation.

The bridge itself, measuring 22 metres long, 5.6 metres wide, and 4 metres high, was constructed using large, unworked stones stacked in a corbelled arch technique—a building style typical of the time, which required no mortar.

This method, coupled with the sheer weight of the stones, has allowed the bridge to endure for millennia, its structure resilient against the elements and the passage of time.

The Arkadiko Bridge

The Arkadiko Bridge’s purpose was practical its sturdy design allowed for the safe passage of chariots, soldiers, and traders moving between the key Mycenaean cities.

The Mycenaeans, known for their mastery of stonework, relied on durable infrastructure to support their expansive trade networks and military campaigns. With its wide roadbed, the bridge accommodated two-wheeled chariots, symboling Mycenaean power and prestige.

What makes the Arkadiko Bridge particularly remarkable is that it remains crossable today, over three thousand years after its construction.

Visitors to the site can walk across the same stones that Mycenaean warriors, traders, and travellers once traversed, connecting them to a distant past when the Greek Bronze Age flourished.

The bridge, though simple in design, represents the innovative spirit of the Mycenaeans, who crafted long-lasting infrastructure to meet the demands of their growing civilisation.

While the Arkadiko Bridge is now surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Greek countryside, in its time, it was a crucial part of the bustling network of roads and trade routes that connected Mycenaean Greece.

The Arkadiko BridgeThe bridge’s longevity is a testament to the Mycenaeans’ sophisticated approach to engineering and their understanding of how to build structures that could stand the test of time.

Today, the Arkadiko Bridge holds the title of the oldest preserved bridge in Europe, a title that further enhances its historical significance.

It stands not only as a physical link to the past but also as a symbol of the Mycenaeans’ enduring legacy in shaping the infrastructure of the ancient world.