Tzelefos Bridge

Tzelefos is the largest and best preserved of the medieval packhorse bridges in the Paphos forest, a single stone arch spanning about eleven metres over the Diarizos, built in the Venetian period on the route that carried copper down from the Troodos mines to the coast by camel train. The forest around it is thick and the water runs clear underneath. Two other bridges of the same group, Roudias and Elia, stand within a few kilometres and are usually visited together.

What to look for

• The arch - a single pointed stone span about eleven metres across.
• The river - the Diarizos running clear under the bridge.
• The forest - dense pine and plane on the slopes around.
• The other bridges - Roudias and Elia, on the same medieval route nearby.

When to go

April to June and September to November are the best. Water is highest in spring. Forest roads become difficult after heavy rain and in winter.

Good to know

The access roads are unpaved forest tracks and a low car is a bad idea. There is no signage worth the name and getting lost is normal. There are no facilities anywhere near.

Nearby

Chrysorrogiatissa monastery is west, and the Paphos forest runs in all directions.