TIRANA, Feb 26 /ATA/ The National Institute of Cultural Heritage draws attention to one of the monuments which is worth visiting. It is about the Nivani Bridge in Gjirokastër. The bridge is located in the area of Zagoria. It has been designated as a “Monument of Cultural Heritage” under protection.
Nivani Bridge was built by Ali Pasha Tepelena, at the beginning of the 19th century. The bridge was part of the trade caravan route that connected the area of Gjirokastra with that of Përmet.
The bridge consists of two arches: the main arch above the river and a smaller arch, above ground, at one of the legs of the bridge. The other leg of the bridge is a massive construction without light spaces. The bridge is 34 m long and 3.15 m wide. The bridge is covered with cobblestones.
This bridge enabled at the beginning of XIX century commercial and spiritual communication between Gjirokastra and Përmet. The caravans coming from Gjirokastra passed over the Nivan bridge, then stopped at the Nivan Monastery, built in 1777, headed to Nivan, Sheper to Dëmbeli Pass and then to Përmet.
Today, this bridge, in addition to its regional function for the passage of animals and people, has become a site that draws visitors for its history and special architecture.
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