Baç Bridge, Roman bridge in Tarsus, Turkey
Baç Bridge is a Roman structure featuring three stone arches that span the Berdan River, connecting the east and west sides of Tarsus. The arches are built from solid stone and display the distinctive arch construction method typical of Roman engineering.
Construction began around 550 AD under Emperor Justinian I, who also modified the river course of the Berdan to improve water flow. The Roman structure has proven durable and remains standing after many centuries.
The name comes from a medieval custom where caravans crossing this key trade route paid duties to local authorities. The bridge served as a crucial checkpoint for merchants traveling between distant lands.
The bridge stands about 3 kilometers east of Tarsus center and is accessible by road from the main highway. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer the most pleasant light for viewing and photographing the structure.
The structure was critical when Tarsus served as a major Mediterranean port, but river deposits gradually shifted the coastline far inland. Today the original shoreline lies many kilometers south, showing how nature transformed the landscape over time.
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