Kolyu Ficheto's Bridge near Byala
Kolyu Ficheto's bridge over the Yantra River or Byala's bridge, as it is also known, is located 1 km from the town of Byala, municipality of Byala, Ruse Region. It is situated 55 km south-west from the town of Ruse, approximately 259 km north-east of the capital Sofia city.
Built by the genius Kolyu Ficheto, the bridge is considered an achievement of the Bulgarian Renaissance engineering construction and architectural art.
It is 276 m long and 9 m wide. Its 14 arches, each 12 m wide, are decorated with relief animal images. It is supported by 13 columns and relief niches, as well as two abutments. The bridge is built of carved stone with local limestone and lime mortar.
THE LEGEND
The idea of building the bridge was given in 1865 at the insistence of the governor of the Danube Province at that time - Midhat Pasha. Legend has it that when Midhat Pasha decided that a bridge connecting Ruschuk / Ruse / Tarnovo, Pleven and Sofia should be built over the Yantra River, someone told the Pasha there was a master in Bulgaria - a self-taught, and yet very good at his work! Midhat Pasha called for Master Kolyo Ficheto and assigned him with the task of building the bridge. The master demanded two weeks for calculations. He returned to Veliko Tarnovo, bought some wax candles from the church and started working. He heated the wax to the flame, then bent and glued the tapers. He managed to build a model of a bridge with 14 arches, flat top, nothing like the old Roman bridges, with simple but robust construction.
Finally, the master stated to the Pasha that the bridge will cost 700,000 pennies. No more, no less! Stunned by the audacity and arrogance of Nikola Fichev, Midhat Pasha asked him again whether he was certain of his words. This is when the famous reply: "If I, Pasha Effendi, do not build the bridge near the town of Byala for 700000 pennies, you may cut off my head!" was said by the master.
Not only did Master Kolyu fulfill his promise, but he was also richly rewarded by the Turkish government - the Order "Medzhidie". The bridge, whose construction began in 1865, was finally completed in 1867.
Nowadays the bridge of Kolyu Ficheto is preserved in its original form, the only reconstruction over the years has been made after a flood in 1922-23 year, when it was reinforced with steel struts.
TRANSPORT AND ACCOMODATION
The bridge can be reached via asphalt road in the west of town. There is a motel complex in the town of Byala that offers excellent conditions for the guests of the town.
Sources: http://www.bulgariainside.com, http://bg.wikipedia.org
Photos: http://gallery.guide-bulgaria.com
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