Submerged historic bridge seen in Mtskheta

The submerged antique bridge was seen due to the water level of the Mtkvari River being lowered on December 22 in Mtskheta, the former capital of Georgia.

The Pompey Bridge or The Magi Bridge was built in 1th century B.C. This bridge played an important role in the trade development in this territory, according to the historical chronicles by the Roman historians Strabo, Pliny and Lucius Cassius Dio.

The title Pompey Bridge derives from the battle between the Roman military, Pompey the Great and the King of Kartli Kingdom Artagi. As for the oldest title The Magi Bridge, the King of Kartli (or Iberia that became a center of the medieval Kingdom of Georgia) acquired the magi from Persia in the 3th century B.C., according to the legend.

In 1926, after the Zahesi hydroelectric power station was built, the Magi Bridge was submerged. It may be seen only when the water level of Mtkvari River is lower in Mtskheta. Due to its historical significance and numerous ancient monuments, the "Historical Monuments of Mtskheta" became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.