The mountainous landscapes of Georgia, the deep ravines and rivers, made the inhabitants of this region in need of searching for crossings, building bridges. Locals chose narrow and easily accessible places to build bridges. From a technical point of view, the stone bridges were only arched, as for the parameters of the bridges (length, width, height), it depended on the type and importance of the transport. Sometimes the width was equal to the size of one Georgian cartridge. Where it was impossible to move a carriage, narrow bridges were built that could be used for pedestrians and carriages.

The number of stone arched bridges in Adjara was not exactly known until recently and at different times the number of travelers in Adjara was different. At the moment, 28 arched bridges are registered in the list of Ajara cultural heritage and protection agencies.

The arched bridges were mainly located on the old trade-carriageway roads, connecting the old roads both the inland and the outer parts of the country. The diversity of roads and bridges, in a way, helped to establish new villages and settlements in the immediate area. Most of the bridges in Adjara have been reconstructed.

Dandalo Bridge

In the village of Dandalo in the Keda municipality, just a few meters from the highway, there is a bridge that resembles the Latin Letter S in the plan. In terms of construction techniques, it is much more difficult to build such a bridge because loads on the bridge are unevenly distributed.

The bridge is distinguished by its thin arch and subtle proportions. It is built on a rocky pebble-bed of rock of volcanic origin. The Dandalo stone arch bridge is an exemplary monument between the Georgian arched bridges. The bridge was probably built in the IX_X centuries. According to Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani, "dandalo" means a “lagami”, that is, a trap for the mouth. Lagami is the same thing. A bridge over this river would have been associated with great difficulty - the subduction of the river. Since "dandalo" means lagami, it is easy to think that the name "dandalo" is related to the contents of the bridge on Adjaristskali, that is to say, subduction of the river.

Makhuntseti Bridge
If you decide to visit Makhuntseti Waterfall one day, you will also find the Makhuntseti Arch Bridge, located 54 kilometers from the Batumi-Khulo Central Road in the village of the same name in Keda Municipality. The bridge is large in size and relies on natural rock cliffs. Built of rock of volcanic origin, the bridge has undergone centuries of restoration and fortification, as evidenced by a series of additional stone pits that are completely different in size and shape.

The bridge was probably built in the IX_X centuries. Due to its aesthetics, the bridge leaves an impression on the visitors, resulting in an annual increase in the number of tourists in the region

Khabelashvilebi wooden arched bridge

When you get to Adjara, head towards Shuakhevi municipality, first ask the location of the village Khabelashvilebi, the bridge itself is in the village and note that there is a legend that if you throw a coin into the river while crossing the bridge you will surely realize your wish. The bridge is located 13 kilometers from the Khichauri settlement of the Batumi-Khulo highway. The bridge is unique and rare in all of western Georgia with its cultural, historical, memorial features and authenticity, elements and overlays used in construction. During the construction of the bridge, unique types of wood are used: elm, chestnut, oak, support poles and under the roof. According to the villagers, the bridge was built 300 years ago and connected to the village of Khabelashvilebi with the village of Brili. Its length is 25 meters. After visiting the bridge, you can walk through the mill to the same trail and also have the opportunity to hike to Lelti Lake, which is the jewel of this valley.

Furtio Bridge
the way to Upper Ajara, towards Skhalta gorge, you will have to cross the Furtio stone arch bridge over the Adjaristskali River. About two centuries ago there was a great flood in Adjara. Adjaristskali would remove huge boulders from the mountains. Throughout the valley, there was the sound of its shouting. On the way everything was destroyed, the mountain slopes washed down, trees were cut, houses were destroyed, but it could not be swapped for the Furtio Bridge.

the bridge dates from IX-X centuries and connects the old roads in the Skhaltistskali Gorge with the central road leading to the Ajaristskali Gorge. This valley had a very favorable geographical location. The shortest caravan route to the seaside would pass through this bridge. The main part of the bridge is 35 meters long, natural rock is used on both sides of the bridge and this should be explained by the fact that this bridge is still unharmed.

Tskhemlara Bridge

Visiting Machakhela National Park, you cannot escape crossing the Tskhemlara Bridge, located in the village of Machakhela. The population of the village of Tskhemlara used to use this bridge in the 60s of the XX century, before the construction of the new bridge. The semicircular arch of the bridge is quite narrow and was designed for walking. There are several accounts of King Tamar in Machakhela Gorge. In ancient times, rich wood-fired workshops were located in the valley, which, along with family and agricultural tools, also contained firearms and cold weapons. At the confluence of the rivers Chorokhi and Machakhela there is a monument of the gun "Machakhela", where the ethnographic museum of Machakhela, rich in exhibits, is opened in the village of Zemo Chkhutuneti;

of the humidity, the caverns of the Tskhemlara bridge are always filled with lichens, green plants that mimic the caverns and create wonderful scenery.

Varjanauli bridge

Visiting the Kintrishi Protected Areas you will not be able to bypass the Varanjauli Bridge, which is located 20 kilometers from the Kobuleti District Center, in the village of Basrimeli (between Varjanauli and Tkemakarava). The bridge is quite large, wide and high. It has a semi-circular shape. The bridge is built in a better style than the bridges of the 11th-12th century, they are taller and more beautiful. The bridge is completely immersed in the Kintrishi Flora and is an authentic environment.

Tskhemvana bridge

If you take the Kintrishi valley a little further to the village of Didvake, crossing the river, you will notice that this piece of art will not be missed. Tskhemvana Bridge, similar to the Basrisheli Bridge, is that the bridge has only an artificial rock on the right side, while on the left it acts as a natural rock.

According to legend, this bridge was built by the order of Queen Tamar. The queen arrives at the river to meet the Great Shota. There is a burst in the Kintrishi river. Put the servants on the golden throne and move it to the other side of the river. When crossing the river, the queen lost the footwear in the water and therefore ordered to build a bridge in this place so that neither the river nor the time can block it. The Queen's order was fulfilled and this bridge was built. The bridge was built in the 12th century. The bridge is an attractive place for nature lovers and travel couples.

Khutsubani Bridge

The Khutsubani arch bridge has two things to distinguish: First, unlike most arch bridges, the bridge consists of two arches, and secondly, no one can say that the bridge was built by Queen Tamar. The bridge was built in Ajara after the Soviet regime was established, in particular, in 1924, by an architect of Italian origin, Augusto Verzi, who was assisted by Matvets (Mate) Lazarid from Akhalsheni village. Consequently, it is not difficult to imagine that the bridge was built in the Soviet era and because of its remarkably memorable visuals it is impossible to fit into other bridges. In addition to aesthetic enjoyment, the bridge can also be used for archery and circling in the river, for hiking with a girlfriend, and even for crossing the river. Khutsubani bridge is built of reinforced concrete and basalt stone. Consequently, if the four elephants standing at the bottom of the huge tortoise beneath its arches do not decide to step up, it will still stand and serve those who do not know how to swim or who simply want to get wet.

Mirveti Bridge

If you want to take a bike ride with your family on weekends, have a picnic and a desire to visit local cultural sites, you should opt for this. On this bicycle route and in the same village 7 km from turning Adjaristskali there is the Mirveti Bridge, supposedly built in XI-XIII centuries. The bridge is built of limestones on the lime solution. The bridge has been used for transportation for a long time and still proudly decorates the area. It is an attractive place for fishing lovers in the river. From the bridge you can follow the marked trail and visit the Colchian Buxus alley, at the end of it is the beautiful waterfall of Mirveti.

Macho’s Bridge

The bridge is built in the village of Makho in Khelvachauri municipality, on the left tributary of Chorokhi. The bridge is a circular shape. The bridge is special because it has low railing, part of which is damaged and therefore lacks a perfect perception of its original appearance. According to historical sources, before the confluence of Adjaristskali from Borchkha, the country was called "Livana", and below it was Adjaristskali. In Borchka the goods were from the Artvin market. In Artvin, the market was being held. merchants were buying the goods they were transporting to Borchkha, and from Borchkha the merchants were continuing their journey to Mahko Bridge. An old man from Maradidi would pull 3-4 workers on the sailing in the back of the boat. From there, it took 2-3 days for the boat to reach the back of the destination. The Chorokhi freighter was closed in 1926 by government order. Thereafter, maneuvers and cargo carriers were called "contrabandists" and punished. So this business and craft are gone. If you have a great party, be sure to leave a photo of this bridge in the impressions.