The zonula adherens matura redefines the apical junction of intestinal epithelia. This study reveals that the zonula adherens (ZA) consists of two distinct belts: an apical belt containing nectins/afadin and an underlying belt containing E-cadherin/catenins. These belts are lined with F-actin and are essential for mechanical tension transmission between cells. The apical belt, composed of nectins and afadin, is crucial for epithelial apical constriction, while the lower belt, containing E-cadherin and catenins, is involved in cell adhesion. The study shows that afadin is essential for the segregation of these belts and for the proper organization of the apical junction. Using super-resolution microscopy, the researchers observed that the apical belt is lined with F-actin, while the lower belt is not. This dual-belt organization is dependent on the maturation state of the cell, with the segregation between E-cad-rich and nectin-rich belts increasing as the cells mature. The findings challenge the traditional view of the ZA as a single actin belt and suggest that the apical junction is more complex. The study also highlights the importance of afadin in the transmission of mechanical forces across cell junctions and in the proper maturation of the epithelial layer. The results suggest that the nectin-afadin complex plays a key role in the apical contraction apparatus of epithelial cells, and that the E-cadherin-catenin complex is also involved in force transmission. The study provides a revised description of epithelial cell-cell junctions and identifies a module regulating the mechanics of epithelia.The zonula adherens matura redefines the apical junction of intestinal epithelia. This study reveals that the zonula adherens (ZA) consists of two distinct belts: an apical belt containing nectins/afadin and an underlying belt containing E-cadherin/catenins. These belts are lined with F-actin and are essential for mechanical tension transmission between cells. The apical belt, composed of nectins and afadin, is crucial for epithelial apical constriction, while the lower belt, containing E-cadherin and catenins, is involved in cell adhesion. The study shows that afadin is essential for the segregation of these belts and for the proper organization of the apical junction. Using super-resolution microscopy, the researchers observed that the apical belt is lined with F-actin, while the lower belt is not. This dual-belt organization is dependent on the maturation state of the cell, with the segregation between E-cad-rich and nectin-rich belts increasing as the cells mature. The findings challenge the traditional view of the ZA as a single actin belt and suggest that the apical junction is more complex. The study also highlights the importance of afadin in the transmission of mechanical forces across cell junctions and in the proper maturation of the epithelial layer. The results suggest that the nectin-afadin complex plays a key role in the apical contraction apparatus of epithelial cells, and that the E-cadherin-catenin complex is also involved in force transmission. The study provides a revised description of epithelial cell-cell junctions and identifies a module regulating the mechanics of epithelia.