Rion‑Antirrio Bridge Marks 22 Years Since Inauguration

On 7 August 2004 the Rion‑Antirrio Bridge, officially named the Charilaos Trikoupis Bridge, was opened, linking the Peloponnese with mainland Greece for the first time. The three‑kilometre‑long suspension bridge spans the strait of Rion, a seismically active zone with deep waters, strong winds and significant tectonic movement, making it one of the most demanding engineering projects in the country.

Construction was led by the French firm VINCI together with major Greek contractors, following a public tender launched in 1991. The project cost about €630 million and required innovative design solutions to cope with the challenging site conditions. The bridge remains a prominent modern landmark and a symbol of Greek engineering achievement, celebrated 22 years after its opening.