The historical wooden bridges in Türkiye continue to serve their purpose today, reflecting the craftsmanship of the past. The Bayramören, Kiremitli, Cumayanı, and Cin Bridges still maintain transportation functions, showcasing the most elegant examples of Ottoman-era woodwork. With their structures in harmony with nature and durable materials, these bridges resist the passage of time, making them significant pieces of our cultural heritage both in terms of engineering and aesthetics.
In Türkiye, wooden bridges have been used for centuries both to facilitate transportation and to construct structures in harmony with nature. Commonly built during the Ottoman era, these bridges were constructed using traditional techniques such as mortise-and-tenon, later reinforced with stone piers over time. Wooden bridges, distinguished by their aesthetic decorations and durable structures, have withstood the test of time and continue to be a significant part of cultural heritage. Let’s take a closer look at the historical wooden bridges in Türkiye that are still in use today;
Bayramören Bridge (Çankırı)
Located over the Melan Stream in the Bayramören district of Çankırı, Bayramören Bridge has a history of approximately 250 years. Measuring 3.90 meters in width and 40.40 meters in length, the bridge was constructed during the Ottoman era using a mortise-and-tenon technique without nails, with wooden beams placed on cut-stone piers. As one of the finest examples of traditional wooden craftsmanship, the bridge is protected by a roof covered with Ottoman-style tiles and is still used by pedestrians today.
Kiremitli Bridge (Trabzon)
Located in Eğridere Village in the Çaykara district of Trabzon, Kiremitli Bridge is a historic structure that has stood the test of time, estimated to have been built in the late 19th or early 20th century. Constructed using durable woods such as chestnut and elm, the bridge consists of wooden beams placed on stone piers and is covered with a hipped roof. Still in use today, providing transportation for the local villagers, the bridge stands out with its resilient architecture, designed to withstand the harsh climate of the Black Sea region.
Cumayanı Bridge (Kastamonu)
Located in the Bozkurt district of Kastamonu, Cumayanı Bridge is one of the rare wooden bridges from the Ottoman period that has survived to the present day. Built by placing wooden beams on stone piers, the bridge stands out both architecturally and aesthetically. Once an important crossing point connecting villages in the region, the structure is now preserved and remains open to pedestrian and light vehicle traffic.
Cin Bridge (Bolu)
Located in the Kıbrıscık district of Bolu, Cin Bridge is known to have a history of approximately 200 years. Spanning Cuma Creek and connecting two rocky formations, this narrow wooden bridge was built entirely from wooden materials. Once an important crossing point on the route to Beypazarı, the bridge continues to stand today as a significant part of the region’s cultural heritage.
