Gorica Bridge

Seven stone arches of varying sizes span the Osum at a height of roughly 10 m. The central arch is the largest, engineered to handle seasonal flooding. The stonework combines original masonry with 20th-century concrete reinforcements. The bridge is fitted with lampposts and illuminated after dark.

Views extend in both directions: east toward Berat Castle crowning the hilltop and the white houses of Mangalem cascading down to the river. West toward the Gorica quarter with its narrow lanes and tile roofs. The Osum River, green in calm weather, flows beneath the arches at varying speeds depending on the season. The panorama is particularly striking at sunset when light catches the stone arches and building façades.

Cafés, restaurants, and a park line both banks of the river near the bridge. The Gorica quarter on the opposite bank is a quiet residential area with guesthouses, cobbled lanes, and family-run tavernas. The bridge is actively used by locals for daily crossings.

Dimensions – 129 m long, 5.3 m wide, 7 arches, approximately 10 m above the water

Age – originally built in wood in 1777–1778 by Ahmet Kurt Pasha, rebuilt in stone in the 1920s

UNESCO status – part of the 'Historic Centres of Berat and Gjirokastra' World Heritage Site since 2008

Symbolism – connects the historically Muslim Mangalem quarter with the Christian Gorica, a symbol of Berat's interfaith coexistence

Restoration – last renovated by the Municipality of Berat in 2015

The bridge was erected in 1777–1778 from wood by order of local ruler Ahmet Kurt Pasha, founder of the Pashalik of Berat. The wooden structure became a critical river crossing linking trade and residential areas on both banks. According to local legend, a girl was entombed alive inside the original wooden bridge as a sacrifice to spirits for the structure's safety. The bridge quickly became the city's central artery, carrying merchants, livestock, and pilgrims.

In the 1920s, following Albanian independence, the wooden bridge was entirely rebuilt in stone while preserving the seven-arch design. During World War II, the bridge served as a route for military movement and partisan communication. The most recent restoration was carried out by the Municipality of Berat in 2015: structural reinforcements were made and lighting was updated. Today the bridge is exclusively pedestrian, preserving its historical integrity.

From central Berat:

– On foot: 5–10 minutes from Bulevardi Republika. The bridge is centrally located

– From Berat Castle: 15–20 minutes downhill along the castle road

– From the bus station: 20 minutes' walk or 5 minutes by taxi

From Tirana (93 km):

– Bus: every 30–40 minutes, 400–500 ALL (~$5–6 / €4–5), 2–2.5 hours. The bridge is within walking distance of the bus station

On site:

The bridge is pedestrian-only. Crossing takes 3–5 minutes. Riverside cafés on both ends.

Season: year-round. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures and a green river. Summer is lively, with cafés open late.

Time of day: sunset is best for photography – light catches the arches and façades. The bridge is illuminated at night. Morning is calm with few tourists.

Duration: 15–20 minutes for the bridge and photos. Add 30–40 minutes for a walk through the Gorica quarter.

Avoid: no specific restrictions. The bridge has no shade, which matters on hot summer afternoons.