The Allahverdi Khan Bridge (Persian: پل اللهوردی خان), popularly known as Si-o-se-pol (Persian: سیوسهپل, lit. '[the] bridge of thirty-three [spans]'),[1] is the largest of the eleven historical bridges on the Zayanderud, the largest river of the Iranian Plateau, in Isfahan, Iran.[2]
The bridge was built in the early 17th century to serve as both a bridge and a dam.[3]
History
Si-o-se-pol was built between 1599 and 1602,[4] under the reign of Abbas I, the fifth Safavid king (shah) of Iran. It was constructed under the supervision of Allahverdi Khan Undiladze, the commander-in-chief of the armies, who was of Georgian origin, and was also named after him.[5][6] The bridge served particularly as a connection between the mansions of the elite, as well as a link to the city's vital Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa.[1]
In years of drought (2000–02 and 2013), the river was dammed upstream to provide water for Yazd province.[6]
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Panoramic photography of the bridge
Structure
The bridge has a total length of 297.76 metres (976.9 ft) and a total width of 14.75 metres (48.4 ft). It is a vaulted arch bridge consisting of two superimposed rows of 33 arches, from whence its popular name of Si-o-se-pol comes, and is made of stone. The longest span is about 5.60 metres (18.4 ft).[4] The interior of Si-o-se-pol was originally decorated with paintings, which were often described by travelers as erotic.[1]
Gallery
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A 17th-century drawing of Si-o-se-pol by Jean Chardin. -
Benches and tables next to Si-o-se-pol. -
A view of the arches under Si-o-se-pol. -
Si-o-se-pol in December 2015. -
Si-o-se-pol's view of the Zayanderud. -
The statue of Allahverdi Khan, next to the bridge. -
Si-o-se-pol at night. -
Si-o-se-pol's walkway at night. -
April 2019
Transportation
Chaharbagh Street
Motahari Street- Kamaloddin Esmaeil Street
- Chahar Bagh Bala Street
- Mellat Street
- Ayenekhaneh Street
Enqelab Metro Station- Si-o-se Pol Metro Station
See also
References
- ^ a b c Babaie, Sussan; Haug, Robert (5 April 2012) [15 December 2007]. "Isfahan x. Monuments (5) Bridges". In Yarshater, Ehsan (ed.). Encyclopædia Iranica. 1. Vol. XIV. New York City: Bibliotheca Persica Press. Retrieved 25 September 2015.
- ^ Wagret, Paul (1977). Iran. Geneva: Nagel Publishers. p. 226. ISBN 2-8263-0026-1.
- ^ "Drought poses no threat to Isfahan's Si-o-Se-Pol: official". Tehran Times. 25 December 2017.
- ^ a b "Allahverdi Khan Bridge". Structurae. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ Savory, Roger (2007). Iran Under the Safavids. Cambridge University Press. p. 170. ISBN 978-0521042512.
- ^ a b Baker, Patricia L.; Smith, Hilary; Oleynik, Maria (2014). Iran. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN 978-1-84162-402-0.
Further reading
- Poornaderi, Hossein; Qasemi, Jawad; Zand, Roxane (2008). "Allāhwirdī Khān". In Madelung, Wilferd; Daftary, Farhad (eds.). Encyclopaedia Islamica Online. Brill Online. ISSN 1875-9831.
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