The Mycenaean bridge of Kazarma

The Mycenaean bridge of Kazarma is located in Argolida, Peloponnese (Greece), on the road from Mycenae and Tiryns to Epidaurus. It is visible a few dozen metres north of the modern road. The bridge belonged in Mycenaean times to an important road between the two cities, which was part of a more extensive military road network.

It has a depth of about 1 m and is built in the typical Mycenaean style of cyclopean stones. The structure is 22 metres long, 5.60 metres wide at the base and 4 metres high. The width of the road at the top is approximately 2.50 metres. The masterful engineering behind the bridge and the road reveals their intended purpose—a seamless passage for chariots, hinting at the strategic importance of the route. These ancient marvels feature a carefully designed vault, meticulously crafted from colossal limestone blocks, stacked without the aid of any binding material. Such remarkable construction techniques can still be observed today in the awe-inspiring fortresses of Mycenae, Tiryns, and other contemporaneous structures.

Remarkably, this extraordinary bridge, dating back to the Mycenaean Bronze Age period around 1500-1300 BCE, continues to serve its purpose, facilitating local and agricultural traffic to this day. Its impeccable condition offers a glimpse into the distant past and showcases one of the oldest bridges ever known in Europe—and quite possibly the entire world.