Demodara Nine Arches Bridge, Ella - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 3 km from Ella Railway Station, the Nine Arches Bridge is an ancient bridge located in the hill town of Ella in Sri Lanka. Also known as Ahas Namaye Palama or the Bridge in the Sky, it is one of the popular iconic structures in Ella and among the must-visit places as part of Ella Tour Packages.

The Nine Arch Bridge is a magnificent stone bridge built amidst lush green tea plantations, with stunning mountains in the backdrop. It is located at Demodara, between Ella and Demodara railway stations. This ancient construction is 91 m long and 24 m high and never fails to leave tourists spellbound at its beauty.

It is one of the best examples of colonial-era railway construction in the country. The construction of the bridge is generally attributed to a local Ceylonese builder, P. K. Appuhami, in consultation with British engineers. The designer of the viaduct was Harold Cuthbert Marwood of Railway Construction Department of Ceylon Government Railway. Popular rumors suggest that when construction work commenced on the bridge, World War I broke out. Thus, the steel from the bridge was used for weapons in the war. However, Appuhami built the bridge with the available material and finances within the stipulated time and budget. The bridge was built of stone and cement and has stood tall till date, which is an architectural wonder.

The iconic bridge amidst the lush green backdrop makes, and the rocky path includes a hiking trail and sightseeing for waterfalls, ancient caves, and tea plantations. The bridge is famous amongst travelers and locals alike, who come to catch a glimpse of the famous blue train slowly inching its way across the bridge. Also, it is a great spot for photography and videography. There are a number of cafes in the hills with vantage points of the bridge.

There are multiple options and ways to reach the train bridge. The easiest way to get to the Nine Arch Bridge is by a 300 LKR tuk-tuk ride from Ella. Else, one can walk to Nine Arch Bridge by following the Ella-Passara Road, turning left at Sri Kanaser Temple and following the signs past multiple guesthouses until you arrive at the bridge.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free