Nehri Stone Bridge

Nehri Stone Bridge is a single-arched stone bridge located on the Şemdinli River within the Şemdinli district of Hakkâri Province, Türkiye. It is believed to have been constructed in the late 19th century. Due to its architectural features, construction technique, and location, the bridge is considered one of the important examples of traditional bridge architecture in the region. Historically, it played a critical transportation role as it lies on the route connecting Nehri (Bağlar) – Derecik – Iraq.

^{Nehri Stone Bridge (}Türkiye Culture Portal⁾

The bridge is situated approximately 13 kilometers from the center of Şemdinli district and 4 kilometers from Nehri (Bağlar) village. It lies in a deep valley surrounded by high mountains, positioned along a north-south route following the flow of the Şemdinli River. The structure belongs to the group of single-span bridges with an inclined roadway. According to current measurements, the bridge’s length along the road is about 17.90 meters, its width is 3.10 meters, and its height from the midpoint to the water is 11 meters. Some sources mention the length as 21 meters.

Both abutments of the bridge rest on natural rock formations in the riverbed. Over time, the retaining walls (temple walls) and connecting roads at the southern and northern ends of the bridge have collapsed; nowadays, passage is maintained on the southern side by temporary structures built by local residents. Immediately west of the bridge, there is a modern reinforced concrete bridge.

While there are different opinions regarding the exact construction date, the generally accepted view is that the bridge was commissioned in 1898 by Sheikh Seyyid Muhammed Siddiq. Accordingly, the bridge was built during the late Ottoman period, in the last quarter of the 19th century.

The structure is entirely made of stone. Precisely cut stones were used for the arch and parapet sections, while the wall surfaces consist of roughly hewn but shaped stones. The architectural composition aligns with the traditional stone bridge construction techniques of the region.