Saraçhane Bridge, Ottoman stone arch bridge in Edirne Province, Turkey.
The Saraçhane Bridge is a stone arch structure crossing the Tundzha River with ten arches of varying sizes spanning approximately 120 meters. The bridge rides on sturdy stone piers about 5 meters wide that distribute weight across the riverbed.
The bridge was built in 1451 when Edirne served as the Ottoman capital and new river crossings were essential for the expanding state. Its name comes from the Beylerbey of Rumelia, the regional governor who oversaw or sponsored its construction.
The bridge reflects building methods that local stonemasons refined over centuries and shapes how residents cross the river daily. Visitors notice how its varied arch sizes tell a story about how people engineered crossings without modern tools.
The route to the bridge is easy to access from the old town, heading down toward the river where views of the structure feel more dramatic from below. You can walk across or underneath to examine the arches and piers from different angles.
A careful restoration in 2007 reinforced the structure while keeping its original design and craftsmanship rather than modernizing it. This approach allows modern traffic to continue using a bridge that has served the region for more than 550 years.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
