«Γέφυρα Στεναγμών» ή «Βενετσιάνικα»
Ο συνοικισμός Ρήγα Φεραίου βρισκόταν στα βορειοανατολικά της πόλης ανάμεσα στους συνοικισμούς Καλλιθέας, Κολοκοτρώνη, Νεαπόλεως, κτίστηκε μεταξύ των ετών 1929-1930 και μοιράσθηκε αργότερα μεταξύ των κοινοτήτων της Νεάπολης και Συκεών που δημιουργήθηκαν το 1934, με επίκεντρο το ρέμα στη θέση των σημερινών οδών Καρπενησιώτου και Ρήγα Φεραίου. Σε αυτόν ανήκε η Γέφυρα των Στεναγμών, πέρασμα του ρέματος, που κατά καιρούς αποτελούσε στέκι ληστών.
“Bridge of Sighs” or “Venetsianika”
The settlement of Rigas Feraios was located in the northeast part of the city between the settlements of Kallithea, Kolokotronis and Neapolis, built between 1929-1930 and later divided between the communities of Neapolis and Sykies, created in 1934, around the stream at the location of the present-day Karpenisiotis and Rigas Feraios streets. It included the Bridge of Sighs passing over the stream where robbers often were hanging out.
«Γέφυρα Στεναγμών» ή «Βενετσιάνικα»
Η Γέφυρα βρισκόταν στην αρχή της οδού Ρήγα Φεραίου, στη συμβολή της με την οδό Καρπενησίωτη με την κατ’ευφημισμό ονομασία «το τριεθνές» μιας και αποτελούσε το κοινό σημείο των τριών δήμων: Συκεών, Θεσσαλονίκης και Νεάπολης, ακριβώς στο σημείο που βρίσκεται το Παρεκκλήσι “Ενορίας Παναγίας Φανερωμένης και Τριών Μαρτύρων”. Ένωνε τις δύο όχθες του ρέματος, το οποίο στη συνέχεια μπαζώθηκε. Η ιστορία της γέφυρας συνδέεται με τη μικρασιατική καταστροφή και την έλευση των προσφύγων στη Θεσσαλονίκη μετά την υποχρεωτική ανταλλαγή πληθυσμών μεταξύ Ελλάδας και Τουρκίας που επέβαλε η Συνθήκη της Λωζάννης.
“Bridge of Sighs” or “Venetsianika”
The bridge was located at the beginning of R. Feraios street at the intersection with Karpenisiotis Street, euphemistically called “triethnos” (three nations) since it was the point where the three municipalities of Sykies, Thessaloniki and Neapolis met, exactly at the point where the Chapel of the “Parish of Panagia Faneromeni and the Three Martyrs” is located. It connected the two banks of the stream, which was then filled with concrete. The history of the bridge is linked to the Asia Minor catastrophe and the arrival of refugees in Thessaloniki after the compulsory population exchange between Greece and Turkey imposed by the Treaty of Lausanne.
«Γέφυρα Στεναγμών» ή «Βενετσιάνικα»
“Bridge of Sighs” or “Venetsianika”
It all started when an area in the north-west part of Thessaloniki, unexploited residentially and located between fields and streams and in the middle of the districts of Kallithea, Kolokotronis and Neapolis, became the place where the first refugee houses were to be built. This happened between the years 1929-30. People had to find a way to cross the stream and for that the “Bridge of Sighs” was built. Why it was given this nickname? According to some legends and fictional speculations of the locals, it is said that the uprooting and the difficulties the refugees experienced in life caused them to sigh while others claim that the bridge served as a meeting place for couples. However, the reason why it was named “Venetsianika” is more clear, as due to the rainfall and the stream the area was often flooded and the houses sank in the water, which reminded them of the Italian city, Venice.
[Sources: https://www.thes.gr/i-poli-mou/gefyra-ton-stenagmon-yparchei-kai-sti-thessaloniki-kai-vrisketai-sti-neapoli-vinteo-foto, K. Nigdeli (2016), Municipality of Neapoli-Sykies “The great Kallikratis Municipality“]