Mes Bridge

Shkodër municipality, Albania

Freely accessible

Public space — no opening hours to check.

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ReferenceKulturenvanteri↗

The Mesi Bridge is an 18th-century Ottoman-era stone arch bridge spanning the Kir River near the village of Mes, approximately 5 kilometers northeast of Shkodër in northwestern Albania. Built around 1770 by Kara Mahmud Bushati, the local Ottoman pasha, the bridge was constructed in two phases: the first in 1768 established the central large arch and three smaller ones, while the second phase in 1770 extended the structure to its present length with additional arches and incorporated a 14° bend near the main arch to follow riverbed contours for stability. At 108 meters long, 3.4 meters wide, and 12.5 meters high with thirteen arches, it ranks among the longest Ottoman bridges in the region. The bridge's distinctive rounded slick stones and stone plates characterize its architectural appeal, and it originally served to connect Shkodër with Drisht and northern settlements along the Kir Valley toward Pristina. Designated a Cultural Monument of Albania, the bridge has endured damage from seasonal flooding that has eroded arches on the right side; recent infrastructure investment has improved public access to this picturesque site.