Çobandede Bridge

Çobandede Bridge was built on the historical Silk Road. It was built by Çoban Noyan, the Emir of Salduzlu and the Vizier of Gazan Han (1295 - 1304) - the Ruler of İlhanlı - in 1298. Structural form and decorations of the head of the bridge reflect the architectural style of Seljuks and İlhanlı. Located at the intersection of Karga Pazarı and Aras Rivers, the bridge is 128 meters long and 8.5 meters wide. The bridge has seven round arches which are made from black, red and gray stones. Junipers were laid beneath the abutments of the bridge to prevent it from sinking. Gaps were left among buffer walls to relieve the weight of the bridge.