Oct 16, 2017

The Legend of Kuda's Bridge

Dalmatia Heritage

Travel Advice

The hiterland of Zadar is filled with amazing secret places waiting to be discovered. At the foot of the southern slopes of Velebit another mountaineous example of nature presents itself: river Krupa, the most prominent tributary that flows into the river Zrmanja.

In its short run of nearly 11 km, Krupa has built 19 waterfalls, most of which are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Croatia.

It is easily reachable by car and then followed by a walk down the hill where the stunning canyon opens in front of you. From the educational paths from Golubić to Kuda's Bridge, surprising views of the blue-green Krupa and its sedimentary barrier called Deveterac are opening. Deveterac was named after nine trawl cascades that end with a waterfall over which the Kuda's Bridge still stands.

We encourage you to visit this secret gem in Dalmatian hinterland because no photograph or video can do justice by it. Contact us for your tailor made tour!

Legend says that the bridge was built two hundred years ago by a young man called Kude. According to the legend, Kude fell in love with a girl called Milja who lived in a village across the river Krupa and to bring the girl home to his house he had to find a crossing. He built the bridge with his brothers in the drywall technique out of twisted blocks with 12 arches and columns that merged the banks of the Krupa river.

The story says that Milja was the first one to cross the bridge.

However, after some time passed, Kuda's Bridge almost collapsed due to microclimatic changes, but thanks to conservatory restorers it has been repaired and is now protected as a cultural monument.

Milja passed the first, and the last Turks were passing through the bridge, fleeing to the Venetians. Like all the legends this one stirrs up the imagination as well and tells us how much love was involved in creating this valuable monument of culture.

Besides the legend, the canyon of Krupa river is one of the finest locations for hiking in Dalmatia where you can enjoy in beautiful and authentic atmosphere of Dalmatian hinterland. Best time in year for hiking around Krupa is definitely during Spring when there's a small possibility of bad weather conditions and when the nature is waking up from its winter sleep. Check it out in this video made by Goran Šafarek, Croatian biologist, photographer and cameraman.

 

We encourage you to visit this secret gem in Dalmatian hinterland because no photograph or video can do justice by it. Contact us for your tailor made tour!

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