The Bridge of Uzunköprü (Long Bridge) – Edirne
We begin at the Ergene River in Edirne. Spanning the river is the beautiful Uzunköprü, the longest stone bridge in the world. Set in Edirne’s Uzunköprü district, the bridge was erected during the reign of Sultan Murad II and designed by architect Muslihittin Bey.
The current length of the Uzun Köprü is 1,272 meters and, after various renovations, its width now reaches 6.90 meters. It features plant and animal motifs on its piers and arch keystones, as well as power symbols.
The Varda (German) Bridge – Adana
In the Karaisalı district of Adana, this historical bridge was built by the Germans in 1912, hence the name. Completing the Istanbul-Baghdad-Hejaz Railway line, the bridge held an important role in rail and road transport at the time.
Featuring the steel lattice stone knitting technique, the Varda Bridge ascends a steep slope. It is 172 meters long and 99 meters in height.
Ortacalar Double Bridges (Ortacalar Çifte Köprüler) – Artvin
Consisting of two arched pedestrian bridges perpendicular to each other, the Çifte Bridge is among Türkiye’s most well-known historical bridges and considered one of the most magnificent historical monuments of the Eastern Black Sea region.
Set in the lush green Arhavi district in Artvin, about 2.5 kilometers from Ortacalar village, the bridge is believed to have been erected in the 18th century.
Irgandı Bridge – Bursa
Built over Gökdere, the Irgandı Bridge which connects the Osmangazi and Yıldırım districts of Bursa is one of Türkiye’s most-visited historical bridges. Erected in 1442, the arched bridge, designed to accommodate the guild system of the period, served as a trade center with a bazaar, a mosque and stables.
Today, the picturesque Irgandı Bridge still features a market with traditional handicrafts and is a popular tourist destination.
Curved Bridge (Kesik Köprü) – Sivas
On the old Sivas-Kayseri road in Central Anatolia, the Curved Bridge spans the Kızılırmak River. Formed by the merger of two cut stone bridges, the first bridge consists of seventeen pointed and round arches, while the second bridge features two round arches. The structure dates to the Anatolian Seljuk Empire.
Stone Bridge (Taş Köprü) – Adana
The Stone Bridge over the Seyhan River, which connects the districts of Seyhan and Yüreğir, is one of the most famous historical bridges in Türkiye. Known as “the world’s oldest bridge still in use”, the structure was erected during the Roman era. Now an important symbol of Adana, the Stone Bridge has been closed to vehicle traffic since 2006. It is 319 meters long and 11.4 meters wide and offers stunning views of Adana.
Malabadi Bridge – Diyarbakır
Approximately 23 kilometers from Diyarbakır’s Silvan district, the Malabadi Bridge spans the Batman Stream. Erected during the Artuqid period, the Malabadi Bridge is known as the bridge with the largest arch span in the world – a 40.86 meter-wide arch span. The bridge is 150 meters long and seven meters wide and features a number of reliefs, many of which have been restored.
Suleiman the Magnificent Bridge (Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Köprüsü) – İstanbul
In the Büyükçekmece district of İstanbul, the Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Bridge, also known as the Büyükçekmece Bridge, was built in 1567 on the trade route connecting İstanbul to Europe. Designed by Sinan the Architect, the bridge was 636 meters long and seven meters wide – wide enough to accommodate two caravans side-by-side.
