The short in length yet utterly impressive Portitsa Gorge and the stone two-arched bridge at its entrance, form one of the most beautiful landscapes in Macedonia.
Grevena, one of the most beloved mountain destinations in northern Greece,hide treasures and places of unrivaled beauty that are worth visiting at least once. One of these places, among the most beautiful you can see in Macedonia, is the Portitsa Gorge and Bridge.
Though short in length, the gorge is utterly impressive, and the stone double-arched bridge at its entrance creates a unique scene of wild beauty that beckons visitors to explore it. The two enormous rocks rising like clashing stones behind the bridge inspire awe, while the picture is completed by the emerald waters of the Venetikos River, a tributary of the Aliakmonas.
The impressive Portitsa Gorge
The Portitsa Gorge lies in the western part of the regional unit of Grevena, between the low mountains of Spilaio and Lykotrypa, on the eastern foothills of Orliakas. Here the Venetikos River flows, creating the small Kanavi Valley. The waters in the gorge flow from west to east, while the total length of the gorge does not exceed 500 m. About halfway through the gorge, where the two towering rocks draw close to one another, the waters of the Venetikos become more forceful. The natural obstacle from the huge stones that have fallen from the Nuns Cell (a cave, part of which at some point collapsed and raised the level of the riverbed), makes things even more difficult, even during times when the river level is low, such as in early autumn.
The 280-year-old stone bridge
The stone bridges of Grevena are the largest and most impressive in all of Macedonia. One of them, perhaps the most popular and most beautiful in the regional unit, stands proudly in front of the western entrance of Portitsa Gorge, about 45 km from the town of Grevena. Thestone Portitsa Bridge was built to facilitate communication between the village of Spilaio and Trikomo. Its construction date is estimated at 1743 and, according to sources, it was built with donations from the Monastery of Spilaio. It is double-arched, with the span of the larger arch reaching 13,80 m. and that of the smaller 5, while its total length is estimated at 34 m. and its height at 7,80.
From the village of Spilaio, a path approximately 2 km long sets off and reaches the Portitsa bridge. Alternatively, you can drive the road that starts to the west of the village (initially it is dirt, while the rest of the route is paved). Whichever route you choose, the landscape and the beauty of nature will reward you.
