Albania is renowned for its beautiful and historically significant stone arch bridges. Among the most famous and picturesque are the Mesi Bridge (Ura e Mesit; Mesi-Brücke) near Shkodër, the Gorica Bridge (Ura e Goricës; Gorica-Brücke) in the historic center of Berat, the Brataj Bridge (Ura e Bratit; Brataj-Brücke) near Vlorë, the Tanners’ Bridge (Ura e Tabakëve; Gerberbrücke) in the center of Tirana, the Kadi Bridge (Ura e Kadiut; Kadi Bridge) near Përmet, the Kordhocë Bridge (Ura e Kordhocës; Kordhocë Bridge) near Gjirokastër, as well as the lesser-known but equally beautiful Kamara Bridge (Ura e Kamarës; Kamara-Brücke) and Castle Bridge (Ura e Kalasë; Castle Bridge).

The Mesi Bridge (42.114478 19.575083) is regarded by many travelers and photography enthusiasts as the most beautiful stone arch bridge in Albania, both architecturally and scenically. It is located in Shkodër County, in northern Albania, about  8 kilometers northeast of the city of Shkodër.

The bridge was commissioned in 1768 by Mehmet Pashë Bushati, the Ottoman governor of Shkodër, who transformed the city into an important political and military center. He is known for expanding the region’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges. The Mesi Bridge served as a strategically important crossing over the Kir River, linking Shkodër with the interior of northern Albania and Kosovo, and, thus, with major trade and military routes across the Balkans. Its construction facilitated commerce, administration, and troop movements. The bridge is 108 meters long and 3.4 meters wide, and consists of 13 asymmetrical arches built from rough-hewn stone. The roadway is paved with stone slabs. Over the centuries, the bridge suffered considerable damage from weathering and flooding. Following extensive restoration work, reconstruction was completed in May 2010, and the bridge was reopened to pedestrians.