Author(s)

M. Karaveziroglou, E. Karayianni, E. Stavrakakis & A. Vaggelakos

Abstract

A small valley in Greece and its bridges throughout the centuries M. ~araveziro~lou', E. ~arayianni*, E. ~tavrakakis' & A. vaggelakosl I Department of Civil Engineering, Aristotle University, Greece. 2 Technical Services, Prefecture of Trikala, Greece. Abstract This paper refers to the bridges of the Pyli valley. The most important bridge is the stone one of St. Bessario. The single-arched bridge of St. Bessario, with an arch span of 28.73m and total length of 68m, was built in the 16' century and until 1936 it was the only link between the Thessaly fields and the mountainous villages of Pindos. In the 2ofh century (up to 1997), at a distance of approximately 1500m around the stone bridge, four concrete bridges which differ in size, architectural style, structural technique and use (vehicular or pedestrian crossing) have been constructed over the Portaikos river in order to serve increased modem transportation needs in the region; the oldest of them, finished in 1936 lies at the west of the st

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