Si-o-se-pol
Double-level arch bridge located in Isfahan, Iran
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Allahverdi Khan Bridge (Persian: پل اللهوردی خان), popularly known as Si-o-se-pol (Persian: سیوسهپل, lit. '[the] bridge of thirty-three [spans]'),[1] is the largest of the eleven historical bridges on the Zayanderud, the largest river of the Iranian Plateau, in Isfahan, Iran.[2]
Si-o-se-pol | |
|---|---|
| |
| Coordinates | 32°38′42″N 51°40′03″E |
| Crosses | Zayanderud |
| Locale | Isfahan, Iran |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge, double-deck |
| Material | Stone and brick |
| Total length | 297.76 metres (976.9 ft) |
| Width | 14.75 metres (48.4 ft) |
| Longest span | 5.60 metres (18.4 ft) |
| No. of spans | 33 |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1599 |
| Construction end | 1602 |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Si-o-se-pol | |
The bridge was built in the early 17th century to serve as both a bridge and a dam.[3]
History
Si-o-se-pol was built between 1599 and 1602,[4] under the reign of Abbas the Great, the fifth shah of Safavid Iran. It was constructed under the supervision of Allahverdi Khan Undiladze, the commander-in-chief of the armies, who was of Georgian origin, and was also named after him.[5][6] The bridge served particularly as a connection between the mansions of the elite, as well as a link to the city's vital Armenian neighborhood of New Julfa.[1]
In years of drought (2000–02 and 2013), the river was dammed upstream to provide water for Yazd province.[6]
Panoramic photography of the bridge
Structure
The bridge has a total length of 297.76 metres (976.9 ft) and a total width of 14.75 metres (48.4 ft). It is a vaulted arch bridge consisting of two superimposed rows of 33 arches, from whence its popular name of Si-o-se-pol comes, and is made of stone. The longest span is about 5.60 metres (18.4 ft).[4] The interior of Si-o-se-pol was originally decorated with paintings, which were often described by travelers as erotic.[1]
Gallery
A 17th-century drawing of Si-o-se-pol by Jean Chardin.
Benches and tables next to Si-o-se-pol.
A view of the arches under Si-o-se-pol.
Si-o-se-pol in December 2015.
Si-o-se-pol's view of the Zayanderud.
The statue of Allahverdi Khan, next to the bridge.
Si-o-se-pol at night.
Si-o-se-pol's walkway at night.
April 2019
.jpg)
Transportation
Chaharbagh Street
Motahari Street- Kamaloddin Esmaeil Street
- Chahar Bagh Bala Street
- Mellat Street
- Ayenekhaneh Street
- Enqelab Metro Station
- Si-o-se Pol Metro Station
