Irgandı Bridge


Irgandı Bridge (Turkish: Irgandı Köprüsü) is an historical bridge in Bursa, Turkey. The bridge is over Gökdere, a tributary of Nilüfer River at 40°10′56″N 29°04′19″E.[1] It is between Osmangazi (northwest) and Yıldırım (southeast), two second level municipalities of Greater Bursa [2]

Irgandı Bridge

Irgandı Köprüsü
Irgandı bridge in Bursa, Turkey
Coordinates40.1818°N 29.0710°E / 40.1818; 29.0710
CrossesGökdere
LocaleBursa, Turkey
Characteristics
DesignArch bridge
MaterialStone
Width11 m (36 ft)
History
ArchitectTimurtaş
Construction end1442
Location

History

The bridge was commissioned by a wealthy merchant named Müslihidddin in 1442 during the reign of Murat II of the Ottoman Empire. Its architect was probably Architect Timurtaş.[2] During the 1855 Bursa earthquake the bridge was partially damaged. During the Turkish War of Independence Bursa was occupied by the Greece. In 1922, the bridge was bombed by the retreating Greek army. It was closed to traffic. In 1949 the bridge was reconstructed by the municipality albeit with minor modifications. After 2004, following another restoration the bridge was opened to traffic.

Details

The bridge is a single arc bridge. Arch span is 16 metres (52 ft) and the width is 11 metres (36 ft).[3] It is an example of a rare type of covered bridge which houses a bazaar. (It has been claimed (incorrectly) locally that it is one of only four bridges in the world having shops.[4] Other bridge with shops on them are Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Rialto in Italy; Osam Bridge in Bulgaria; Pulteney Bridge in Avon, High Bridge in Lincoln, and "Frome Bridge" in Frome in the United Kingdom; and Krämerbrücke in Erfurt, Germany.) In the original design there were thirty shops on the bridge.[5] According to Ass. Prof Önge during the Ottoman times, the bridge was also used to check traffic between two neighborhoods of Bursa by closing during the nights.[3]

References
  1. Map page
  2. Bursa Chamber of journalists page (in Turkish)
  3. Asso. Prof. Yılmaz Önge's essay (in Turkish)
  4. The claim is in the Turkish language webpage of bursa.com.tr (the tr extension indicates Turkey), at http://www.bursa.com.tr/carsili-kopru-irgandi-969.html, accessed November 24, 2020.
  5. Irgandi page (in Turkish)

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