Banakna Bridge
Banakna Bridge (Georgian: ბანაკნას ხიდი; pronounced “banak'nas h'idi”) is a historic bridge located in the Yangınlı neighborhood of Alaca village, which is part of Borçka district in Artvin province, in the historical region of Klarceti. Dating back to the Georgian Kingdom period in the 12th century, the bridge was built over the Deviskeli River. Banakna Bridge has survived to the present day largely intact.
Klarceti was one of the regions that made up southwestern historical Georgia. Banakna (ბანაკნა), located in this region, was a separate village until recently. The village's name was changed to Yangın (Yangınlı) in 1925. Banakna (باناقنا), which had become a small settlement over time, had a population of 8 in 1922 and 13 in 1926. Banakna was later incorporated into the village of Alaca as a neighborhood. The Banakna Bridge is a single-arch stone bridge over the Devskeli River, spanning a narrow and deep canyon. The arch of the bridge is 8.4 meters long and 2.3 meters wide. The height of the bridge above the water surface is 21 meters. A low parapet on one side of the bridge has survived to the present day. Located on an old stone-paved route that once led to the Mamatsminda Church, it has remained largely intact to this day because it is in a secluded spot.
