Demati Bridge

In times past, Demati Bridge served military purposes and facilitated the passage of the Anapodaris river into the Messara region. Today, it serves as a picturesque attraction, a testament to the Venetian era.*

As per the information provided by M Afrathianakis**, the bridge is described as a four-arched structure featuring parapets, semicircular arches, and cantilevers to mitigate water pressure. A series of arched stones connect the bridge across the river, with the left arch partially obscured by sediment and vegetation.

This bridge, constructed during the early Venetian period (1211 - 1669), is the largest stone bridge in Crete.

*Info : Municipality of Minoa, Pediada

**Photos 1 - 15 / Info: Manolis Afrathianakis,

Mathematician at the Evening High School of Heraklion

Amateur scholar of the wild flora of Crete

manafrathian@yahoo.com

Photo 16: Wikipedia