The Mes Bridge over the Kir River and its interesting legend
Memorie.al / The Mes Bridge (Ura e Mesit), located 8 km away from the city of Shkodër over the Kir River, is a cultural monument of great value and a symbol of ancient civilization. Built in 1768 by Mehmet Pasha Bushati, the humpbacked bridge over the Kir River served to connect Drisht with Shkodër. As a monument with great architectural and technical value, this bridge is an object that attracts numerous visitors from all over the world.
Architectural Details and Construction
It has a length of 108 meters, a width of 3.40 meters, and 13 non-symmetrical arches. Hewn stones were used for its construction, while the roadway was made of stone slabs. The rare cultural values of this bridge are enhanced by the picturesque terrain of rocks and clear water.
Based on its construction techniques, it can be noted that the Mes Bridge was built in two phases. The first phase involved the construction of the central arch and three others nearby: two on the left and one on the right. In the second phase of construction, the Kir River covered the bridge, and as a result, smaller arches were built as support at the ends.
Today, the bridge has 13 arches. The largest one in the center has a span of 21.5 m, supported by double ribs with a width of 1.08 m. At a total length of 108 meters, the Mes Bridge is the longest bridge built by the Ottomans in Albania. For nearly 20 years, the villagers waited for the merchant to build the bridge.
The Interesting Legend
According to oral tradition regarding the bridge’s construction, a Turkish merchant, to aid some of the area’s residents, dug several pits to slake lime. For nearly 20 years, the villagers waited for the merchant to build the bridge. Finally, he arrived, gathered the residents, and began the bridge’s construction.
The lime, which had remained in the pits for 20 years, had such a great strength that it bonded the stones of the bridge very well. According to the legend, this bridge was built with stone and slaked lime, without cement or iron.
The Mes Bridge is a cultural monument and a symbol of ancient civilization, and as such, it has become an attractive spot for local and foreign tourists. Foreign tourists who choose to visit Shkodër find it impossible not to pass by and visit the Mes Bridge. Memorie.al
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