The Shepherd's Bridge

The Shepherd's Bridge was built on the route of the historic Silk Road. The bridge was built in 1298 by Emir Çoban Noyin of Salduz, the vizier of the Ilhanid ruler Gazan Khan (1295-1304). The structural form of the bridge and the decorations on the head part reflect the Seljuk and Ilhan architectural style. The bridge, located at the confluence of the Karga Bazaar and Aras rivers, is 128 meters long and 8.5 meters wide. The maximum arch width of the bridge is 13 meters, and the highest point is 30 meters. The first eye of the bridge, consisting of seven round arched eyes, has been closed during repairs in recent years. The arches of the bridge are made of black, red and gray cut stones. There are maple trees under the foot of the bridge. Thus, the sinking of the bridge was prevented. To lighten the weight of the bridge, a gap has been left between the buffer walls. The Shepherd's Bridge, which underwent repairs in 1727-1872 and 1948, was last restored in 2011.