Ain Diwar Bridge
The Ain Diwar Bridge, also known as the Zangid Bridge, is a ruined masonry arch Roman bridge, 3.5 km northeast of the town of Ain Diwar, Syria. The bridge is within vicinity of the Syria, Iraq and Turkey border region and about 500 m west of the Tigris River of which it used to cross.
Ain Diwar Bridge | |
|---|---|
 The remaining span of the bridge at Ain Diwar; the Tigris flows in the distance | |
| Coordinates | 37°18′52″N 42°12′56″E |
| Crosses | formerly crossed the Tigris River |
| Locale | Close to Ain Diwar, Syria |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Stone |
| No. of spans | 1 existing |
| Location | |
| |
The Ain Diwar bridge was built in the 2nd century by the Romans to give them access to Upper Mesopotamia. The Romans also previously set up the Bezabde Camp (modern day Cizre, Turkey) nearby.[1] It was refurbished by the Seljuks and Arabs in the late 12th or early 13th century. The Ain Diwar Bridge is often referred to as a great example of Islamic architecture and civil engineering. Stone carvings on the bridge depict astrological figures, zodiac signs and cavalrymen which are attributed to Roman architecture.[2]
However, the structure is listed neither by O'Connor nor Galliazzo in their comprehensive surveys of Roman bridges.[3]
See also
- List of Roman bridges
- Roman architecture
- Roman engineering
References
- O’Connor, Colin (1993), Roman Bridges, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-39326-4
- Galliazzo, Vittorio (1994), I ponti romani. Catalogo generale, Vol. 2, Treviso: Edizioni Canova, ISBN 88-85066-66-6
