Yibna Bridge
Bridge in Yibna, Israel
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Yibna Bridge (Hebrew: גשר יבנה, Arabic: جسر يبنا) or Nahr Rubin Bridge is a Mamluk arch bridge near Yibna, which crosses the Nahal Sorek (formerly known as Nahr Rubin, or Wadi al-Tahuna). It was previously used by Route 410 to Rehovot, and was known as the Jumping Bridge (הגשר הקופץ) due to a bump in the middle of the bridge which caused cars to jump if speeding.[1] It is now a part of a recreation ground, next to a new bridge carrying the Route 410.
Yibna Bridge
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| Coordinates | 31°54′N 34°48′E |
| Crosses | Nahal Sorek |
| Locale | Yibna, Israel |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch |
| Total length | 48 metres |
| Width | 11.5 metres |
| History | |
| Opened | 1273–1274 CE |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Yibna Bridge | |
History
The bridge was one in a series of bridges built by Sultan Baybars in Egypt and Palestine. It was first studied in modern times by Clermont-Ganneau, who noted that an Arabic chronicle had referred to the construction by Baybars in 672 AH of two bridges build of a significant nature "in the neighbourhood of Ramleh". The chief purpose of these bridges was to ease communication for his armies between Egypt and northern Syria.[2] The second of these two bridges is thought to be the Jisr Jindas.[2]
According to Clermont-Ganneau, the bridge was built in 671–672 AH (1273–1274).[3] The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land cites the completion date as 1273.[4]
Max van Berchem, who examined it in the late 19th century, found that the bridge contained large amount of reused Crusader masonry, some of which carried mason's marks.[5]
Description
The bridge is 48 metres (157 ft) long, and 11.5 metres (38 ft) wide.[6] It comprises three arches, two central piers with triangular upstream-facing cutwaters and downstream-facing buttresses with sloping cills.[7]
It is very similar in design to the more well-known Jisr Jindas, apart from the width of the piers.[7] The bridge has a more than 2:1 arch-span to pier-width ratio versus approximately 1:1 at Jisr Jindas.[7]
The bridge does not contain any decoration or inscriptions, similar to that found on Jisr Jindas. However, according to Andrew Petersen there is "a possible inscription or signature" on a stone at the south end.[7]
See also
- Barid, Muslim postal network renewed during Mamluk period (roads, bridges, khans)
- Jisr al-Ghajar, stone bridge south of Ghajar
- Daughters of Jacob Bridge (Jisr Banat Yaqub), Mamluk bridge on the upper Jordan River
- Al-Sinnabra Crusader bridge, with nearby Jisr Umm el-Qanatir/Jisr Semakh and Jisr es-Sidd further downstream
- Jisr el-Majami bridge over the Jordan, with Mamluk khan
- Jisr Jindas bridge over the Ayalon near Lydda and Ramla
- Isdud Bridge (Mamluk, 13th century) outside Ashdod/Isdud
- Jisr ed-Damiye, bridges over the Jordan (Roman, Mamluk, modern)