Photographer Vasilis Vervelidis captured a series of breathtaking nighttime shots in Grevena, immortalizing the spectacular sight of the Milky Way arching majestically over the historic Aziz Aga Bridge.
Grevena: Stunning images of the Milky Way above the Aziz Aga Bridge
The Aziz Aga Bridge, the largest stone bridge in western Macedonia, spans the Venetikos River near the village of Trikomo. It stretches 75 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and rises 15 meters above the water. The bridge is composed of three arches, with the central arch being the largest — a sweeping elliptical span measuring 30 meters across.
Who was Aziz Aga, and the legend of the master builder
Aziz Aga commissioned the construction of this imposing bridge, entrusting the project to a highly regarded master builder. The work, however, proved exceptionally challenging and demanding due to the sheer scale of the undertaking.
During construction, the central arch collapsed twice as soon as the wooden support framework was removed. Before the third attempt, Aziz Aga issued a stern warning to the master builder: if the arch fell again, he would pay with his life. The warning had its effect — the construction held firm, and the arch stood strong. Satisfied with the outcome, Aziz Aga honored his agreement and rewarded the master builder in full.
