Or, as the locals call it “the old bridge” (compared, of course, to the newer one, the
suspension bridge). A landmark in the town, built in 1962, this moving (sliding) bridge is
located in the beach and marks the start of the pedestrianised promenade. Every night, the
bridge opens, dividing the town into two sides, allowing the ships to cross the river. This is
when one can watch the mesmerizing continuous movement of the waters of the strait.
The unification of the two sides of the coasts of Viotia and Evia can be found in pre-
historical references, from Diodorus who mentions that in 410 B.C., a wooden bridge was
built in Euripus strait. Later, in 510 A.D., Justinian constructed a slide bridge, during the
Ottoman Occupation it was wooden and immovable and in 1858 it became wooden
and removable. In 1896, it was replaced by a rotating iron bridge that was kept until 1962,
when the current one was constructed.
11