CAREV MOST, NIKŠIĆ, MONTENEGRO

CAREV MOST is one of the most beautiful stone bridges in Southeast Europe. It is 269 meters long and more than 13 meters high in the middle. It was built of hewn stone, raised on vaults that make up 18 shafts. The foundation stone of the bridge was laid by Montenegrin duke Božo Petrović, president of the State Council of the Principality of Montenegro, in 1894. Since the bridge had to bridge a larger area, its construction required a lot of resources and work – it was one of the largest buildings of that time. The construction lasted several years, with the involvement of many people, but the main works were completed in half a year. The famous photographer Rudolf Mosinger, who in the spring of 1910, when Montenegro was declared a kingdom, came to make an album at the invitation of Prince Nikola, in addition to 32 photos of the castle and the panorama of the city, he also included a photo of the Emperor’s Bridge in the album, enchanted by its beauty. Prince Nikola emphasized the importance of the bridge and suggested that it be called Tsarev, after the Russian Emperor Alexander III, who financially supported its construction. This grandiose building contributed to the prosperity and development of the Nikšić region by improving trade links with the south of Montenegro, and the first vehicles that passed through it were mail coaches.