Gavmishan Bridge

Gavmishan Bridge is a historical bridge in Darreh Shahr County, Ilam Province, Iran. The bridge was built in late Sasanian era on Karkheh River, parts of which constitutes the modern-day border of Ilam and Lorestan provinces.[1][2] It is 175 m (574 ft) in length and about 8 m (26 ft) in width. It has the longest arch span among the ancient bridges in Iran. It is known by many experts as an engineering feat considering the time it was built, the material used and the floods it has withstood during its age of 1400 years.[3][4]

Gavmishan Bridge

پل گاومیشان
The bridge in modern day.
Coordinates33°05′02″N 47°32′15″E
CrossesSeymareh River
LocaleBorder of Ilam and Lorestan Provinces
Maintained byICHTO
Heritage statusIran National Heritage List
Registry Number2222
Characteristics
DesignArch
MaterialMortar, Brick and Rock
Total length175 m (574 ft)
Width8.2 m (27 ft)
Traversable?No
Longest span33.7 m (111 ft)
No. of spans6
Piers in water2
Design lifeAround 1400 years
History
Construction endLate Sasanian Era
CollapsedDuring Muslim Conquest of Persia
Location

It is believed that the bridge was intentionally destructed by the Persian Army to stop or slow down the invasion of Arabs during the Muslim Conquest of Persia in the 7th century.[5]

Location

The bridge passes Karkheh river, which is the confluence of Seymareh and Kashkan rivers. Nowadays, Seymareh and Karkheh indicate the eastern border of Ilam Province.

It is 20 km east of Darreh Shahr, and 30 km from Pol-e Dokhtar, near the modern bridge.

Restoration

According to texts, the bridge was once restored by Vaali of Posht-Kooh about 200 years ago.[1]

Being on the border of Ilam and Lorestan provinces has resulted in many disputes regarding ownership of the bridge. Nevertheless, the latest restoration took place between 2005 and 2008 by funding from the Ilam province.

References
  1. www.sirang.com, Sirang Rasaneh. "Gavmishan Bridge 2019 : Tourist attraction in Dareh Shahr, Travel to IRAN". itto.org | Iran Tourism & Touring. Retrieved 2019-06-21.
  2. "پل گاومیشان". Touristgah. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  3. "Gavmishan Bridge in Tranquil Corner of Western Iran - Tourism news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  4. "گاومیشان؛ حیرت انگیز ترین پل تاریخی غرب کشور". خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency (in Persian). 2014-03-17. Retrieved 2019-07-26.
  5. "Gavmishan Bridge". Iran tour - DanaTrips. Retrieved 2019-07-23.
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