Dyavolski Most | Дяволски мост | Ardino, Bulgaria

Constructed in the early 16th century by the Ottoman Empire, Dyavolski Most - or the Devil's Bridge - is the most stunning of the humpbacked bridges that cross the Arda River in Bulgaria.
 
The bridge is located near the town of Ardino, which even has a water fountain shaped like the structure. It's one of several "devil's bridges" found around Europe. Its span is 185 feet long, 11.5 feet wide, and at its gravity-defying central arch stands 37.7 feet high. Interior semi-circular arches were built in to monitor the water level. It was built over a demolished Roman bridge and cuts from the steep slopes of the Rhodope Moutains along an ancient road.
 
However, the reason some locals are hesitant to cross at night is rooted in dark lore. The legend states that during the Middle Ages, the Arda River over which it was built was very turbulent. Many had tried, but all had failed to tame the waters with their bridges. One particularly ambitious man made a pact with the Devil, who gave him the secret for creating a bridge that would last forever, under certain conditions. He was to create the face of the Devil in his work, and if he didn’t complete the project in forty days, his soul would be taken to Hell. The man completed the project in 39 days, only to die two days later, taking the secret of his bridge-building mastery to his grave. It is also said that the devil's footprint can be found somewhere among the rocks.
 
The bridge still stands exactly as it was built 500 years ago, and when viewed from a certain angle, its reflection in the water creates an ominous visage.