Nine Arch Bridge

Spanning a lush, forested valley between the Ella and Demodara railway stations, the Nine Arch Bridge is a brilliant testament to colonial-era engineering and architectural beauty.

Commissioned under the British governorship in the early 20th century, construction on this massive railway viaduct coincided with the outbreak of World War I. When the steel intended for the bridge was redirected to support the British war effort, local Ceylonese builders, led by an exceptional builder named Appuhami, pivoted to an ingenious solution: they constructed the entire 300-foot-long, 80-foot-high structure using only stone blocks, bricks, and cement, without a single piece of structural steel.

Affectionately known by locals as Ahas Namaye Palama (The Nine Skies Bridge), the viaduct is an aesthetic masterpiece. Its nine uniform arches curve gracefully across a deep ravine, surrounded by rows of bright green tea bushes and towering banana trees. Walking along the active railway tracks across the bridge has become a rite of passage for travelers visiting Sri Lanka. The stone surfaces are worn smooth by time, offering an immersive look into a bygone era of rail travel.