Torrential rains and gale-force winds have washed away the Bridge of Plaka, one of the widest stone bridges in the Balkans. Built in the 19th century, the bridge in Epirus was repaired in 1866 after its arch collapsed.

The historic bridge was the location of a pact among the two top resistance forces during the WWII Nazi occupation, signed on Feb. 29, 1944. The structure survived a Luftwaffe bombing but it seems that the bridge was unable to survive the weekend’s rough weather conditions.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras expressed his sorrow over the news and a delegation from the ministries of Infrastructure and Culture, headed by Alternate Infrastructure Minister Christos Spirtzis, will visit the Tzoumerka region where the bridge is located to estimate the extent of the damage and see whether the bridge can be salvaged.