Covered Bridge, Lovech
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| The Covered Bridge (Покрития мост) |
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 |
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| Carries | pedestrians |
|---|---|
| Crosses | the Osam |
| Locale | Lovech, Bulgaria |
| Design | covered bridge |
| Total length | 106 m |
| Opening date | 1874; reconstructed in 1981-1982 |
The Covered Bridge (Bulgarian: Покрития мост, Pokritiya most) is, as the name suggests, a covered bridge in the town of Lovech, Bulgaria. The bridge crosses the Osam River, connecting the old (Varоsha) and new town parts of Lovech, being possibly the most recognizable symbol of the town.
After the bridge that then served the town was almost completely destroyed by a flood in 1872, the local police chief ordered the famous Bulgarian master builder Kolyu Ficheto to construct a new one. Ficheto personally chose the material for the wooden bridge. Each citizen of Lovech contributed to the building process, the poorer ones working themselves and the wealthier donating money and paying other workers. Building finished in 1874.
The initial bridge had a length of 84 m and 6 vents and accommodated 64 shops. It was, however, wholly destroyed by fire on the night of 2 to 3 August 1925. A more modern bridge was constructed at its place in 1931 only to be replaced by a reconstruction of Kolyu Ficheto's design in 1981-1982. The current bridge is 106 m long and has 14 shops, the architect being Zlatev.
