Si-o-se-pol

Template:Short description The Allahverdi Khan Bridge (Template:Langx), popularly known as Si-o-se-pol (Template:Langx), is the largest of the eleven historical bridges on the Zayanderud, the largest river of the Iranian Plateau, in Isfahan, Iran.

The bridge was built in the early 17th century to serve as both a bridge and a dam.

History

Si-o-se-pol was built between 1599 and 1602, 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. 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.

In years of drought (2000–02 and 2013), the river was dammed upstream to provide water for Yazd province.

• Panoramic photography of the bridge
  Panoramic photography of the bridge

Structure

The bridge has a total length of and a total width of . 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 . The interior of Si-o-se-pol was originally decorated with paintings, which were often described by travelers as erotic.

Gallery

• A 17th-century drawing of Si-o-se-pol by Jean Chardin.
  A 17th-century drawing of Si-o-se-pol by Jean Chardin.
• Benches and tables next to Si-o-se-pol.
  Benches and tables next to Si-o-se-pol.
• A view of the arches under 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 in December 2015.
• Si-o-se-pol's view of the Zayanderud.
  Si-o-se-pol's view of the Zayanderud.
• The statue of Allahverdi Khan, next to the bridge.
  The statue of Allahverdi Khan, next to the bridge.
• Si-o-se-pol at night.
  Si-o-se-pol at night.
• Si-o-se-pol's walkway at night.
  Si-o-se-pol's walkway at night.
• April 2019
  April 2019

Transportation

• File:Avenue in Iran.svg Chaharbagh Street
• File:Street in Iran.svg Motahari Street
• File:Street in Iran.svg Kamaloddin Esmaeil Street
• File:Avenue in Iran.svg Chahar Bagh Bala Street
• File:Street in Iran.svg Mellat Street
• File:Street in Iran.svg Ayenekhaneh Street
• Enqelab Metro Station
• Si-o-se Pol Metro Station

See also

• Risbaf factory

Further reading

• Template:Encyclopaedia Islamica