Katouni Bridge

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Katouni Bridge: The Largest Stone Arch Bridge in Greece

Built under British rule, and completed in 1826, this is the largest stone bridge ever built in Greece. The bridge that spans a shallow ravine is supported by 13 symmetrical arches with 12 round openings. It was designed and supervised by the English engineer John McPhail who served as a surveyor on the island during that period. The construction was based on the plans of the Italian engineer Evaristo de Chirico and the project was undertaken by the local population. The bridge at Katouni has a length of 110 meters, and a height of 15 meters. It was built in order to form part of the road connecting Chora (the capital of Kythera) to the port of Agios Nikolaos or Avleomonas. Although it was one of the biggest projects of the British on the island, this road was never completed as the British left the island in 1864, after the union of the Ionian islands with Greece. Due to its exceptional architecture, it can support loads greater than those for which it was originally designed. Beyond the technical interest, the bridge represents also a social and historical happening. Today, the bridge is one of the island’s most significant monuments and one of its major attractions. This remarkable monument is located near Katouni village in the area of Livadi, Kythera. The bridge at Katouni is connected to a legend, according to which John McPhail fell in love with a beautiful girl from Katouni village, and decided to build the bridge near her house in order to see her every day, while supervising the project.