Çeşnigir Bridge: A Seljuk Bridge in Turkey
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.4
- Popularity
- Medium
- Country
- Turkey
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Ottoman, Seljuk
- Site type
- Infrastructure
- Remains
- Bridge
On this page5 sections
History
Çeşnigir Bridge is a medieval Seljuk bridge in Turkey, built during the thirteenth century under the Seljuk Sultanate of Rum, the medieval Anatolian Seljuk state that ruled much of central and eastern Anatolia. It crosses the Kızılırmak River between Karakeçili and Köprüköy in Kırıkkale Province and is regarded as an important example of Seljuk architecture.
Medieval and Ottoman History
The bridge’s exact construction date is unknown, but its architectural character and historical evidence place it in the thirteenth century. A long-standing tradition holds that Timur’s army crossed Çeşnigir Bridge while travelling toward the Battle of Ankara in 1402. Timur, also known as Tamerlane, was the Central Asian ruler whose forces fought the Ottoman sultan Bayezid I in that battle.
During the Ottoman period, Mimar Sinan supervised the bridge’s reconstruction in preparation for the Egyptian Expedition of Yavuz Sultan Selim, or Selim I. Mimar Sinan was the chief Ottoman imperial architect of the sixteenth century, while Selim’s campaign brought Syria and Egypt under Ottoman control.
Modern Changes and Restoration
The bridge underwent additional repairs during the twentieth century and remained open to vehicles until 1989. Rising water after the construction of the Kapulukaya Dam made vehicle use impossible, leading to its closure to vehicular traffic. In 2010, the 4th Region Highways Directorate carried out restoration work. Çeşnigir Bridge is now open only to pedestrians.
Remains
Structure and River Crossing
Built from cut stone, Çeşnigir Bridge extends 110 metres and is 6 metres wide. Its twelve arches comprise nine principal arches and three additional openings. The smaller supporting arches reduce the weight carried by the bridge’s abutments while also allowing the river to flow through the structure.
The bridge has a pronounced rise through its central section, creating an inclined form that allows the structure to bear securely on the river. Its central opening spans 18.6 metres, and the surviving crossing lies within the boundaries of Keskin, between Karakeçili and Köprüköy, in the area of the Zafer Kapulukaya Dam.
