Akköprü, Stone arch bridge in Yenimahalle, Turkey
Akköprü is a stone arch bridge crossing the Ankara River with seven basalt arches arranged in four large and three smaller spans. The construction creates a robust structure designed to carry pedestrian and light vehicle traffic across the waterway.
The bridge was constructed in 1222 under Seljuk Sultan Alaaddin Kayqubad I as a crucial crossing point on the ancient trade route to Baghdad. It remains one of the oldest surviving bridge structures in Ankara.
The bridge represents Seljuk architectural methods through its construction techniques and stands as the oldest bridge structure in Ankara.
The bridge stands near the Ankamall shopping center and Atatürk Cultural Centre, connecting the Varlık neighborhood to surrounding areas. Access is straightforward and the location is easily reachable on foot.
Two inscriptions remain visible on the western section of the bridge, while metallic parapets added later serve pedestrian safety. This blend of original stone inscriptions and modern safety additions shows how the bridge has been maintained across centuries.
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