The Besleti Bridge also known as the Queen Tamar Bridge is a medieval arched stone bridge at Sukhumi, Georgia’s breakaway republic of Abkhazia. Located some 6 km from the city center, the bridge spans the small mountain River Besletka, and dates back to the late 12th century. Thirty-five meters in overall length (the arch itself is 13.3 m) and eight meters high, this single-arch bridge is one of the most illustrative examples of the medieval bridge design popular during the reign of Tamar of Georgia (r. 1184-1213) who is traditionally credited to have commissioned the construction of the Beslet bridge. A contemporary inscription in the early Georgian asomtavruli alphabet reads: “Christ the Lord, glorify in every possible way in both lives.” An engraved cross and the Greek Τ have survived in the lower part of the left pillar of the bridge. A stone stele with Georgian...