Taşköprü, Beyşehir

Taşköprü is a stone dam and footbridge in Beyşehir that spans 40.70 meters in length and measures 6.35 meters across. It contains 15 barrel vaults with independent sluice gates, supported by 14 piers with a colonnade above them.

It was built between 1908 and 1914 as an irrigation project commissioned by Grand Vizier Mehmed Ferid Pasha. The construction allowed the arid Konya Plain to become viable agricultural land for the surrounding communities.

The structure shows how water is controlled to serve the local farming community and irrigate the surrounding plains. It remains central to how people in this region manage their agricultural land.

The bridge serves as both a pedestrian crossing and water control system, so watch for active gate mechanisms and water flow. It is best visited on dry days when the structure is easily accessible and safe to cross.

Each of the 15 arches contains its own sluice gate that can be operated independently, representing early advanced water management. This allowed operators to adjust water flow precisely according to the irrigation needs of different sections of farmland.