Irgandı Bridge


Irgandı Bridge is an historical bridge in Bursa, Turkey. The bridge is over Gökdere, a tributary of Nilüfer River at. It is between Osmangazi and Yıldırım, two second level municipalities of Greater Bursa

History

The bridge was commissioned by a wealthy merchant named Müslihidddin in 1442 during the reign of Murat II of the Ottoman Empire. Its architect was probably Architect Timurtaş. During the 1855 Bursa earthquake the bridge was partially damaged. During the Turkish War of Independence Bursa was occupied by the Greece. In 1922, the bridge was bombed by the retreating Greek army. It was closed to traffic. In 1949 the bridge was reconstructed by the municipality albeit with minor modifications. After 2004, following another restoration the bridge was opened to traffic.

Details

The bridge is a single arc bridge. Arch span is and the width is. It is an example of a rare type of covered bridge which houses a bazaar. In the original design there were thirty shops on the bridge. According to Ass. Prof Önge during the Ottoman times, the bridge was also used to check traffic between two neighborhoods of Bursa by closing during the nights.