March 27, 2011

Ottoman Stone Bridge

I can not really say with certitude that this bridge with nothing much to cross we saw a few hours north of Bucharest was built by the Turks. 

Romania, 2011

Yet the long and complex history in the region - with various wars fought against the Turks since the 15th century, the domination of the Turkish Empire from the 17th century onwards, and Romania declaring its independence from Turkey as recently as 1877 - plus the stone and arch architecture, historically Turkish in style, lead me to conclude that the bridge is some centuries old and built by Romanian's past aggressor from the south.

Here is my capture of the other side as we drive by:


15 comments:

Pat Tillett said...

An amazing amount of history there! This bridge being part of it. Nice pics my friend!

Scrappy Grams said...

The bridge is showing its age. Thanks for bringing me along on your venture.

Al said...

Very interesting. There must be a reason that they built such a bridge there - maybe there's a strong water flow there at certain times of the year.

Barb said...

Interesting blog. I'd just love to know what the area looked like when the bridge was being constructed. Presumably there was water there.

Dina said...

It resembles our Turkish railway bridge in Beersheba, completed in 1915.

joo said...

It's a superb bridge!
Have a nice Sunday:)

By the way, I think I'll be there around 26th June - shame your're not staying longer:(
I remember this country from my childhood - you know it was one of few countries abroad we were allowed to visit - but it was ages ago! I suppose it everything looks different there!

cieldequimper said...

Don't ask me why but this reminds me of Scotland of all places.

Louis la Vache said...

History buff «Louis» is happy you posted this bridge, so rich in history. What tales it could tell!

Kaori said...

I love how you know so much of the history there! Very interested in why they placed the bridge there though :-D

EG CameraGirl said...

Looks like a very sturdy bridge that has been around for a long while!

tapirgal said...

Arched stone bridges are wonders of the world in my book. I love to see them, and this one seems to have some interesting patterns in the stone. Whatever culture or reason, I'm rejoicing that it's there! :) Could be in case of flood?

Reader Wil said...

Interesting bridge is it built over a dry river?

Francisca said...

@Wil... I really don't know what the story here is. The layout of the land now does not look like there is ever a river here, but I would guess there was one when it was built and that the bridge was kept for posterity.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

May be once upon a time, it was a raging river.

Lowell said...

Fascinating. Of course I'm always fascinated by stuff older than I am!

I have a feeling there used to be a raging river boiling under that bridge!