Varda Viaduct, Railway bridge in Karaisalı, Turkey
Varda Viaduct is a stone railway bridge in Karaisalı, Turkey, that rises above the valley of the Çakıt River. Eleven connected arches carry the tracks and form a series of stepped openings that descend toward the valley floor.
Engineers from Germany began construction at the start of the 20th century as part of the Baghdad Railway project, which aimed to connect Ottoman territories by rail. Completion took several years and reached its end in the second decade of the century.
Locals call the bridge by the nearby village of Varda and use paths along the valley for daily walks beneath the arches. The spot attracts photography enthusiasts who come early in the morning or late afternoon to catch the light on the stonework.
Visitors can view the bridge from both sides of the valley or take short walks along trails in the surrounding area. Reaching the site by train is possible, and a nearby railway stop offers access to the location.
The bridge appears in the opening chase of the 2012 film Skyfall, as a train races across the high arches. The scene has drawn many visitors to seek out the area and explore the structure up close.
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