Nine Arch Bridge

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.

The true magic of the Nine Arch Bridge happens several times a day when the blue or red

passenger trains rumble slowly across the tracks. Spectators gather on the surrounding hillsides,

at cozy lookout cafes, or directly underneath the arches to watch the train pass. The rhythmic

chugging of the locomotive, the plumes of white steam against the dark green jungle canopy,

and the sight of passengers leaning out of open doorways waving to onlookers create a

nostalgic, postcard-perfect scene that captures the romance of travel in the hill country.