Taşköprü (Roman Stone Bridge)

The Taşköprü — literally Stone Bridge — spans the Seyhan River at the heart of Adana's old town, carrying a history of nearly two thousand years within its pale limestone and sandstone piers. Ancient sources suggest it was constructed in the second century AD, and at roughly 310 metres it once extended across the full seasonal breadth of the river on 21 arches, of which 14 survive intact today. For most of its life it was the primary crossing connecting the two banks of Adana, bearing caravans, armies and traders on the road between Anatolia and Syria. Converted to pedestrian use in 2007, the bridge now hosts open-air concerts, evening strolls and informal art exhibitions on its stone balustrades. Walking the bridge rewards visitors with sweeping views upriver to the Sabancı mosque's minarets and downriver to Tepebağ, Adana's oldest neighbourhood. The most dramatic photography is achieved from the lower embankment paths on either bank, looking up at the ancient arches against the sky. On the bridge itself, locals gather at dusk to fish from the parapet and watch the river traffic below. Traffic noise from the adjacent Sabancı Boulevard contrasts with the calm atmosphere on the pedestrianised structure. A single crossing takes about five minutes; most visitors spend 20 to 30 minutes walking across and back and pausing at the viewing spots. The bridge is at its most atmospheric after dark, when floodlights cast a golden reflection across the Seyhan water. Ulu Cami and the Büyük Saat Kulesi are each within five minutes' walk of the bridge's eastern approach.