--- title: Cendere Bridge slug: cendere-bridge-f6509 url: /detay/cendere-bridge-f6509 type: article language: English entity: primary: Cendere Bridge type: article disambiguation: Explore the magnificent Cendere Bridge, a remarkably preserved Roman bridge in Turkey. Discover its history and architecture! categories: - name: Architecture slug: mimari url: /kategori/mimari - name: Travel And Tourism slug: seyahat-ve-turizm url: /kategori/seyahat-ve-turizm tags: - HistoricalStructures - CendereBridge - CendereBridgeHistory - AncientCendere - RomanHeritage - CendereBridgeTrip - ArchaeologicalHeritage - CendereBridgeStory - RomanEraBridge - DiscoverHistoryInNature author: Muhammed Samed Acar created_at: 2025-04-06T22:51:53.381014+03:00 updated_at: 2025-04-17T09:58:45.125561+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/04/06/OS6JNAFCY21jylpw1ihhX9fES79Rygao.jpg --- # Cendere Bridge ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Cendere Bridge ![20241118110244124_Cendere Koprusu iktm 02 (6) kopya.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/04/06/cYO5h6zrGrk72cNhOtlmEInyhTG4djXS.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Construction Date(s)(Text) | AD 198-200 (during the reign of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus) | | Builder | 16th Roman Legion Flavia Firma (under the command of General Alfenius Senecio, constructed by Marius Perpetuus) | | Purpose(s) | Built in the names of Septimus Severus,and their sons Caracalla and Geta.,his wife Julia Domna | | Location | Adıyaman,on the Cendere Stream (Chabinas River).,at the Sincik-Kocahisar road junction,55 km from the city center of Adıyaman,20 km from the Kahta district | ## Article Content The Cendere Bridge is a historic [Roman](/en/detay/roman-3/llms.txt) bridge located on the Cendere Stream (known as the Chabinas River in ancient times), 20 kilometers from the Kahta district of Adıyaman and 55 kilometers from the city center of Adıyaman. Also known as the Roman Bridge or Septimus Severus Bridge, it is one of 82 Roman-era bridges in Turkey and stands out as the best-preserved bridge in the Commagene region. The bridge is situated approximately 10 kilometers after passing the Karakuş Tumulus on the road from Kahta to Mount Nemrut, [at](/en/detay/at-3/llms.txt) the Sincik-Kocahisar road junction. The bridge, which connects the two sides of a magnificent canyon, takes its name from this feature. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/04/06/ENPfwaVDgHmIgG2yOUR5X0BQUxREkGAh.jpg) *Cendere Bridge (Cultural Portal)* #### **History and Construction** The Cendere Bridge was built in the 2nd century AD during the reign of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus (AD 193-211) by the 16th Roman Legion Flavia Firma, which [had](/en/detay/had/llms.txt) its headquarters in Samsat (ancient Somasata). The construction of the bridge was carried out between AD 198-200 by Marius Perpetuus under the command of the legion's general, Alfenius Senecio. A [tablet](/en/detay/tablet-006f1/llms.txt) on the bridge mentions that the structure was rebuilt on the foundations of [an](/en/detay/an-2/llms.txt) older bridge. The construction costs were covered by the cities of Somasata, Doliche, Perre, and Germanikeia in the Commagene region. The bridge was built in the names of Septimus Severus, his wife Julia Domna, and their sons Caracalla and Geta. Initially, there were four Corinthian columns at both entrances of the bridge: to the south, columns were dedicated to Septimus Severus and Julia Domna, and to the north, columns were erected in the names of Caracalla and Geta. However, after the death of Septimus Severus, his son Caracalla ascended to the throne, killed his brother Geta, and ordered the destruction of all monuments made in Geta’s name. As a result, the columns dedicated to Geta were removed, and his name was erased from the tablet on the bridge. Today, only three columns remain standing on the bridge. ![Image](https://cdn.kureansiklopedi.com/media/uploads/2025/04/06/TZcEiOdd6GTDj2Wra5aXFDJHe1eIPR2Q.jpg) *Cendere Bridge (Cultural Portal)* #### **Architectural Features** The Cendere Bridge is 120 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 30 meters high. The bridge consists of two arches: one main arch and one drainage arch, and it is constructed with 92 large cut stones. The span of the main arch is 32.20 meters, making the bridge one of the most robust Roman-era structures in Turkey. The most remarkable architectural feature of the bridge is that it was built without mortar, with precisely cut stones weighing tons stacked on [top](/en/detay/top-2/llms.txt) of each other. The bridge rises in a ramp-like shape on both sides and converges in the middle, achieving both static stability and a monumental appearance. The columns at the entrances and exits, which are 9-10 meters high, are adorned with Corinthian capitals. #### **Inscriptions** The Latin inscriptions on the columns and tablet of the bridge explain who the bridge was built in honor of and its construction process: - **Septimus Severus Column:** "Emperor Caesar Lucius Septimius Severus Pius Pertinax, Arabicus, Adiabenicus, Parthicus, the most merciful ruler, the highest priest, the bearer of imperial power for 12 times, emperor eight times, consul twice, provincial governor, the great and beneficent emperor of the four cities of Commagene." - **Julia Domna Column:** "Julia Domna Augusta, mother of the four cities of Commagene and the military settlement." - **Caracalla Column:** "Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, son of the emperor, provincial governor and three-time emperor, from the four cities of Commagene." - **Tablet Inscription:** The tablet mentions that the bridge was rebuilt on the foundations of the older bridge on the Chabinas River and was constructed by Alfenius Senecio and Marius Perpetuus. Although Geta’s name was erased, it is understood that he was also mentioned in the original text. #### **Restoration and Present Day** Since its construction, the Cendere Bridge [has](/en/detay/has-3/llms.txt) undergone various repairs during the Roman period. The bridge, which has stood for 1,800 years, was restored by the General Directorate of Highways in 1997-1998. Until 2004, the bridge was open to all vehicle traffic. In 2005, with the opening of a new highway bridge on the eastern side, the Cendere Bridge was closed to vehicle traffic. Since 2007, all traffic has been redirected to the new bridge. Today, the Cendere Bridge attracts tourists as a monumental example of Ancient Roman architecture. The Cendere Bridge, with its architectural features and historical significance, remains one of the most valuable structures in the Commagene region and continues to stand as a testament to the durability of Roman engineering. ## Academic Sources and References 1. Cultural Portal. "Cendere Bridge | Cultural Portal," Accessed April 6, 2025. https://www.kulturportali.gov.tr/turkiye/adiyaman/gezilecekyer/cendere-koprusu. 2. Kahta District Governorship. "Cendere Bridge," Accessed April 6, 2025. http://kahta.gov.tr/cendere-koprusu. 3. Kahta Tourism Information Office. "Cendere Bridge," Accessed April 6, 2025. https://kahtaturizmdanismaburosu.ktb.gov.tr/TR-150101/cendere-koprusu.html. 4. Turkish Tourism Encyclopedia. "Cendere Bridge," Accessed April 6, 2025. https://turkiyeturizmansiklopedisi.com/cendere-koprusu.