The left and right banks of the Soča River near Kobarid, where the gorge is narrowest, were joined by a bridge in ancient times, but in 1616 the Venetians demolished the wooden structure. The old Napoleon Bridge with a single made of stone was built in 1750. Napoleon's troops marched across it on the way to Predel Pass, hence its name.
 
During World War I, it was blown up by Austrian soldiers, and later the Italians built a wooden and then an iron bridge. During World War II, the Partisans defended the Kobarid Republic here, and in memory of these events, two monuments have been placed beside the bridge.