It was part of a five-kilometer-long aqueduct system that delivered fresh water to the Gjirokastër Castle.
The structure features three distinct arches, though only a portion of the original massive aqueduct remains today.
Construction was commissioned by Ali Pasha, the semi-autonomous Ottoman ruler of the Epirus region, during his 19th-century governance.
The bridge provided the critical elevation required to maintain gravity-fed water flow across the uneven mountain terrain.
The Ali Pasha Bridge is a remaining section of a historic 19th-century aqueduct system built to supply the Gjirokastër Fortress with water from the Sopot mountain range. Located in the Manalat quarter, this stone arched structure survives as one of the few remnants of a larger hydraulic network commissioned by Ali Pasha of Tepelena. The bridge spans a ravine and is constructed from locally sourced limestone, characteristic of Ottoman-era civil engineering in the region. It is situated on a popular hiking trail that connects the outskirts of the city to the surrounding hills. As of July 2026, the site remains an open-air historical landmark accessible to pedestrians.
The view from the base of the ravine looking up toward the arches provides the best perspective of the stone masonry.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes as the terrain leading to the bridge is uneven and often overgrown.
Bring your own water as there are no amenities or vendors near the structure.
Combine this visit with a hike to the nearby 'Sopot' waterfall trail for a full morning excursion.
Do not attempt to climb or walk across the top of the bridge arches, as the masonry is historic and structurally fragile.
