Saraçhane Bridge: An Ottoman Crossing over the Tunca River
Site at a Glance
- Popularity
- Medium
- Country
- Turkey
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval, Early Modern
- Civilizations
- Ottoman
- Site type
- Infrastructure
- Remains
- Bridge
History
Saraçhane Bridge is an Ottoman bridge over the Tunca River in Yeniimaret, Edirne, Türkiye, built in 1451 on the order of Şahabettin Pasha. He was a prominent figure at Sultan Murad II’s court and the beylerbey, or senior provincial governor, of Rumelia, the Ottoman territories in Europe. The Ottoman Empire was a Turkish-led empire that ruled much of southeastern Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. The bridge is also known as Şahabettin Pasha Bridge; its Saraçhane name comes from the neighborhood to its east.
Collapse and repair
The bridge’s central arch collapsed in 1702. Four years later, repairs were completed and the bridge was extended by 50 metres.
Remains
The stone bridge crosses the Tunca River near Sarayiçi. It is 120 metres long and 5 metres wide, with 11 piers supporting 12 arches. A covered rest area stands at its midpoint, where a plaque marks a renovation.
