Cyril Tours - 9 ARCH BRIDGE IN ELLA

9 ARCH BRIDGE IN ELLA

Nestled in the charming mountain village of Ella, Sri Lanka, the Nine Arch Bridge, affectionately known as the "Bridge in the Sky," is an architectural marvel that captures the essence of colonial-era railway construction. This iconic bridge gracefully spans 91 meters at an awe-inspiring height of 24 meters, presenting a striking testament to the blend of local craftsmanship and British engineering expertise that went into its creation.

This remarkable structure is often credited to the vision of a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, who collaborated closely with British engineers. Notably, the chief designer and project manager behind the ambitious 'upcountry railway line of Ceylon' was the distinguished Ceylonese engineer and inventor, D. J. Wimalasurendra. The viaduct's intricate design was brought to life by Harold Cuthbert Marwood, a key figure in the Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway.

For those eager to delve into the historical archives, the 1923 report titled "Construction of a Concrete Railway Viaduct in Ceylon" by the Engineering Association of Ceylon provides a treasure trove of details, including original plans and drawings. Located in Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations, this site has witnessed a surge in tourism, thanks to the bridge's architectural splendor and the lush, verdant hillsides that envelop it.

Legend has it that during the initial stages of construction, as the rumblings of the Great War echoed across Europe, the steel allocated for this project was diverted to support Britain's wartime efforts on the battlefront. Undaunted, the local community stepped in, using stone bricks and cement to complete the bridge, bypassing the need for steel. This captivating backstory adds an intriguing layer to the bridge's history.

The Nine Arch Bridge stands as an idyllic panorama, set amidst a dense jungle and a patchwork of vibrant agricultural fields. As you traverse its nine graceful arches, the lush forest stretches behind, while below, the rolling hills are adorned with thriving tea plantations. It's a picture-perfect fusion of nature and human ingenuity, a must-visit destination that seamlessly weaves history, engineering, and natural beauty into the fabric of Ella's enchanting landscape.

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"Thank you so much Cyril for guiding us around your beautiful country. We thoroughly enjoyed our time which was made particularly special by your professionalism, enthusiasm and friendliness. We wish you all the best in the future. Warm regards from, Aonghus O'Keefee and Sheela Hendricks- Ireland " Aonghus and Sheela Hendricks- Ireland

"Dear Cyril, Sincerest apologies for this delayed email --- reason being that I had been extremely busy with work & travel, since returning from Sri Lanka and just got a breather now, to download our photos and catch up with private matters. Hope this email finds you & family, in the best of health & spirits. Your granddaughter must be keeping you busy and giving you & Mrs. Baddegama immense joy. At this end, we are doing fine. Nikhita is back at school, now in Grade 7 and havi..." Pradeep Kumar Menon - Singapore

"Thank you so much for your great service and making our honeymoon in Sri Lanka, so special and joyful. Best regards from Yuffa and Elad Abbo – Israel- 10 July 2008 " Yuffa and Elad Abbo - Israel

"2nd to 15th November 2016 Dear Cyril, Thank you for arranging our first visit to your beautiful country. We had a very enjoyable, comfortable, safe, interesting and memorable holiday. All the accommodations you provided were very clean and comfortable and we will always remember the welcome, we felt when the smiling staff cheerfully looked after us and our every need. The itinerary you arranged was just right for us and made even better with the care you took whilst driving your very c..." Satwant and Doug from Australia

"Cyril was our driver and guide for the last nine days. We had the comfortable white Toyota van shown in the pic - it was just as clean and shiny, and not a scratch on it. He is clearly a very skilled driver. He is particularly knowledgeable about the history of the many places we visited. We were pleased we had Cyril as our driver. He had been recommended to us by an acquaintance. Andrew Speirs Melbourne, Australia Travel period 04 Jan - 12 Jan 2018" Mr. Andrew an Mrs. Suzy Speirs from Australia

"Hello, We had 2 weeks exploring Sri Lanka and for most of that time Cyril drove for usto various towns, sites of interest. Cyril wsa a very pleasant chauffeur. Always prompt and greeted us with a smile. He was well informed about the sites we visited and pointed out many interesting historical buildings en-route. We had a great 2 weeks in Sri Lanka and Cyril's plesant and helpful nature contributed to this briliant holiday. Thank Cyril Sara and Steve from Birmingham, England" Sara and Steve

"Dear Cyril, Thanks for taking care of the Dr.Sethukavalar and his wife very well. They were indeed very happy for all the care you have shown during your tour. They were very impressed of your patience and kindness. I look forward to see you soon and maintain this good relationship we have developed in a short period of time. We will not hesitate a second to recommend you to all our friends who would like to visit Sri Lanka. Taking this opportunity of wishing you all the best. Thanks fo..." HARIDAS KANDASAMY

"We came for a wedding and then embarked on an amazing holiday. Cyril show us magnificent sights and scenery of Sri Lanka. To do the country just we need to return with more time. Many of the sites we visited just made us want to know more about them, even though Cyril was a fountain of knowledge. We have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Cyril and his excellent company, and it was so nice to go home a guardian angel looking after us. He is consistently courteous & good humored and now fe..." Andy Powell UK

"Dear Cyril, Thank you very much for wonderful holiday. Your attention to detail and care of your clients is extraordinary. We certainly hope to cross paths again and we will recommonding you to all of our friends and to family too. Many thanks again. Paul nad Machelle Brisbane, Australia. Visited during 10/10/2012 - 26/10/2012" Mr. Paul and Mrs. Machelle from Australia