The aqueduct in Gümüşhane that defies centuries.

The historic bridge built centuries ago in the Torul district of Gümüşhane to transport water continues to resist the challenges of nature and time with its structure dating back to the Byzantine period.

The engineering marvel bridge, constructed to transport irrigation water across the Ganak Stream flowing from the central neighborhood of Dedeli village, has stood tall for centuries against the harsh conditions of nature and time.

With a length of 16 meters and a width of approximately 2 meters, the bridge is built with a single arch and round arch structure, and the three elevations on it were used for water transportation.

The village elders recount that at one time, irrigation water flowed over this bridge through wooden channels, stating that the structure dates back to the Byzantine period.

Ilhan Şahin (71), who shared what he knows about the bridge, which was built approximately 20 meters long to convey water across the stream bed that reaches a height of 12 meters, said, “This bridge is said to be a relic from the Byzantine era, primarily claimed to have been used for irrigation purposes. According to the information provided by the officials and those concerned who came to discuss its construction, it has been stated that it is definitely a Byzantine artifact. It was used for irrigation. The water channel coming from the opposite side used to carry water across the bridge through wooden channels. The state currently brings it through pipes.”

“If it were for transportation, it would be a bit wider”

Şahin stated that he remembers the period when water was carried through wooden channels and mentioned that some friends walked over the channels like tightrope walkers, saying, “This is a structure built for irrigation purposes. If it were for transportation, it would be a bit wider. It is a narrow bridge. It was constructed to take water from the upper stream to irrigate the gardens here.”

“A very special structure”

Construction engineer Yusuf Oral noted that the structure is more of an aqueduct than a bridge, stating, “There is a very deep valley here. It is an aqueduct used to cross that deep valley. It is a very special structure. From an engineering perspective, there is a vertical drop of about 12 meters and a horizontal span of approximately 15-16 meters, and in some places, it even reaches 20 meters. It is the most robust structure in terms of engineering because it is resistant to pressure. For it to break, the stone must break or explode. Considering that a stone is much stronger than concrete today, it is much more solid compared to newer, modern reinforced concrete flat bridges, and an ideal method was used to span this gap under the conditions of that era,” he said. Oral added that there is no similar bridge still standing in other regions of Gümüşhane.