The Manari Railway Bridge

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Manari Railway Bridge

The Manari railway bridge is an iconic arch bridge, built at an altitude of 708 meters above sea level, 14.4 km (15 mins) south of Tripoli near the village of Asea in Arcadia, Peloponnese. Its 166-meter length, makes it the longest stone arch railway bridge in Greece and one the longest in the Balkans. Its maximum height is 21 meters and its width is 4.5 meters. The Manari Railway Bridge was designed by the French engineer A.Cotteland and the construction was supervised by the chief engineer P. Lepeche. It was built by the French company “Société Anonyme Internationale de Construction et d’Entreprises de travaux publiques” between 1892-1896 and was put into operation in 1898. Experienced French, Italian and Greek craftsmen, as well as many local women, worked on the construction.

The bridge has eight arches, each 12 meters wide. A flat surface has been built above the arches, on which the railway tracks have been placed. High quality stones from local quarries have been used for the construction. The bridge was built as part of the development of the Greek railway network in the early 20th century. Today, it is not used as the operation of the Corinth -Tripoli – kalmata railway line has been suspended. However, it is considered an architectural marvel and has been designated as a cultural heritage monument. It is worth noting that since its construction, there has never been any need for repair or maintenance and has never been affected by natural phenomena. This railway bridge is an important cultural monument, and one of the must-see attractions in the area.

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