Description of the attraction
Kadin Bridge (or Kadi Bridge) is one of the largest architectural structures along the Struma River. Located in the center of the village of Nevestino in the region of Kyustendil. The length of the structure is about 100 meters, the width is 5 meters. Five arches of the bridge, the height of which increases towards the middle and forms a kind of cone, are made of large hewn granite blocks. Each pillar has special gutters, created for the drain, in case the level of the Struma rises above the set. The handrails of the bridge are also made of masonry. The architectural appearance of the bridge refers to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance - this mixed style is characteristic of many buildings in the Balkans.
There is a granite slab at the eastern parapet, which is adorned with a carved inscription in Turkish, according to which the construction of the bridge was completed in 874. According to one of the legends, the bridge was built by order of Sultan Murad: the crossing over the river was supposed to be a wedding present for the Bulgarian relatives of the Sultan's bride. Originally the bridge was called “Nevestin” or “Kadala” and much later the name was changed to “Kadin”. And another legend insists that the bridge was built by order of local Turkish judges - kadi, hence the name Kadin bridge.
Today, the main road to Blagoevgrad passes through the bridge.
