Kırkgöz Bridge

Kırkgöz Köprüsü is located outside the center of Bolvadin district in Afyonkarahisar province, between Bolvadin and Sultandağı. The structure is situated over the Akarçay River, which flows into Eber Lake. ^【1】The bridge is approximately 7 kilometers from the Bolvadin district center.^【2】

^{Kırkgöz Köprüsü} (Türkiye Kültür Portalı)

The southern section of the bridge was constructed in the 1150s by the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos. In its initial construction phase, it was designed with 40 arches using marble andesite and basalt stones. ^【3】

Since Roman times, the bridge has served as a strategic crossing point along the north-south caravan route extending from Istanbul to Yemen. After the region came under Seljuk control, it continued to function as a major route. ^【4】

During the 16th century, as part of the road repairs undertaken in preparation for Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent’s campaign to Baghdad, the bridge was renovated by the architect Mimar Sinan. ^【5】Mimar Sinan extended the bridge northward to 64 arches^【6】, bringing its total length to 400 meters. ^【7】During the Ottoman period, the structure functioned as a busy transit point along the Silk Road and the pilgrimage route.^【8】

Kırkgöz Köprüsü was constructed using basalt andesite and marble spolia stones. The architecture incorporates reused materials from the Hellenistic Roman and Byzantine periods including tombstones. The bridge rests on a rubble fill and is faced with cut stone; its sides are bordered by single rows of parapets made of rectangular blocks.^【9】

^{Kırkgöz Köprüsü} (Anadolu Ajansı)

The arch structure of the bridge varies; the central arches are wider and pointed while those toward the ends become narrower and adopt a flatter form.^【10】

Among the additions made by Mimar Sinan are a prayer hall and a marble staircase built to access the water.^【11】

The bridge was officially registered and placed under protection on 10 November 1988 by the Konya Regional Board for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. ^【12】Of the original 64 arches the structure had in historical times 57 have survived to the present day. ^【13】The bridge was restored in 2004 by the General Directorate of Highways.^【14】