Ala Bridge


Ala Bridge is a historic bridge in Turkey. It is still in use.

Geography

The bridge is in Anamur ilçe of Mersin Province. It is on the road connecting Anamur to Ermenek at and on Dragon Creek. Its distance to Anamur is. Alaköprü Dam is to the north of the bridge.

History

The bridge was constructed by the Karamanids. Karamanids were a Turkmen beylik which were the main rivals of the Ottomans in Anatolia up to the end of the 15th century. In the 14th century they dominated most of the Mediterranean coast. They constructed the bridge to control Anamur in the coast from Ermenek a city in the mountains. But there is no inscription on the bridge and exact construction date is unknown.

Architecture

The bridge is an arch type bridge. Main arch is a arch. There is also a minor arch next to the main arch which acts as a discharching cell during heavy rain fall. Total length of the bridge is and the height of the parapeth is