Stories of Centuries-Old Arched Bridges in Ajara
Bridges have been a crucial component of civilization and cultural exchange throughout human history. Not only are they functional, but they also boast impressive architectural designs and aesthetics. In Ajara, visitors can explore numerous historic bridges that have been passed down through generations.
These structures serve as a window into the unique history of this Georgian region, as they have endured natural disasters, changing weather conditions, and invasions throughout the ages.
Stone arch bridges, in particular, play an important role in connecting our past to our future and are an integral part of our cultural heritage. When encountering these impressive structures, one can't help but wonder about their history and the challenges faced by their builders, especially considering the limited tools and technologies available at the time.
Here you'll find 35 stone arch bridges, each with its own story. Although some faced the wrath of floods in the late 19th century, 15 of these historic gems remain beautifully intact. Notable bridges like Dandalo, Furtio, Chvani, Uchkho, Agari, Makhuntseti, Chkheri, Chomakhisuri (Kokoleti), Tskhemlara, Mirveti, Makho, Tskhemvani, and others grace the ancient trade-caravan routes, acting as vital connectors between internal and external paths.
Of these bridges, the Dandalo Bridge is considered the finest in Georgia from an architectural perspective. Spanning the Ajaristskali River, this impressive structure is built from volcanic cut stone and limestone piers, showcasing its strength and durability. Despite some minor damage, the Dandalo Bridge remains functional and is a popular sight for visitors and locals.
The Makhuntseti Bridge, the second largest in the namesake village, extends 28.7 meters across Ajaristskali in Kedi municipality. Built with volcanic stone and boiling lime, this remarkable bridge reflects the distinct medieval style of Ajara. Limestone was the preferred material for all of Ajara's medieval arch bridges, with lime even being produced on-site.
The Furtio Bridge, situated in the village of Furtio within the Khulo municipality, marks the beginning of the Skhaltistkali gorge. This historic bridge once connected the old roads of the Skhalti Valley to those in the Ajaristskali Valley, guiding caravans from the Skhalti Valley towards Batumi's coastal area. With a main carriageway measuring 13.5 meters long and 2.35 meters wide, the Furtio bridge's architectural prowess has been praised by Tedo Sakhokia, who lauded the ancient builder's ingenuity in creating this stone masterpiece.
The remarkable craftsmanship of these stone arch bridges throughout Ajara highlights the exceptional skills of bridge builders from the past. Furtio Bridge is also fondly known as the "Queen's Bridge", as it is believed that King Tamar once traversed this very bridge on the way to pray at Skhalti Church.
The Machakheli Valley is particularly renowned for its abundance of stone arch bridges. Presently, the valley is divided into two parts, with Upper Machakheli encompassing six villages within Turkey's borders and Lower Machakheli featuring six villages within Georgia's borders (Khelvachauri municipality, Machakheli community). In total, nine stone arch bridges can be found across both parts of the valley (five in Lower Machakheli, four in Upper The plethora of bridges in the valley can be attributed not only to the deep ravines and rivers that characterize the landscape but also to the valley's significant military-strategic and economic importance in the history of southwestern Georgia.
Within Machakheli's array of bridges, the Tskhemlari and Chkheri Bridges stand out for their unique features. The Tskhemlari bridge spans the Machakhela River and once facilitated pedestrian traffic between the village and the lower Machakheli valley, connecting them to the left villages of the neighboring Ajaristskali valley. Chkheri Bridge, on the other hand, is situated on the Chkheri Gorge, a right tributary of the Machakheli River, and supports the shortest land caravan route in the area.
On the Makhostskali, a left tributary of Chorokhi, the Makho stone arch bridge bears the same name as the river it crosses. This impressive structure measures 6 meters in length and 2 meters in width at its midpoint. Constructed with flat stones set in a lime solution, the Makhos bridge is a testament to the region's engineering prowess.
Kintrishi Valley, located within modern-day Kobuleti municipality, is also home to several notable arched bridges. Among them are Basrimele (22 meters long, 2.5 meters wide), Tskhemvani (20 meters long, 2.5 meters wide), and Varjanauli (14.6 meters long, 2.6 meters wide).
The valleys of Kintrishi, Merisi, and Chvana are also home to covered wooden bridges, such as the Khabelashvilebi Bridge. Smaller streams and creeks are crossed by suspension bridges and traditional beam bridges.
Most of the stone arch bridges in Ajara date back to the 9th to 13th centuries, while a smaller number of them were constructed during the late Middle Ages.
