The Shahrestan Bridge: The Oldest Bridge on Iran's Zayandeh River
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Shahrestan Bridge is the oldest bridge on Zayandeh Rud in central Iran. The foundations are from the 3rd to 7th century Sasanid era, but the top was renovated in the 10th century by the Buyids and finally during the 11th century Seljuk period.
However the architectural style is totally Sasanid. The bridge was built in two parabolic shapes. The vertical parabolic component means that the middle point of the bridge is the highest part.
The horizontal parabolic produces a bend to the west strengthening it against the flow of the river. This bridge is 107.8 meters long and an average of 5.2 meters wide. It has two levels of arches, 13 in the bottom and 8 on the top.
The higher sluices quickened the passage of water during floods, thus taking pressure away from the structure. About 100 meters away from the bridge, the Zayandeh Rud has recently been diverted towards the south and an artificial lake has been established around the bridge to protect it from further damage.
Source: Iran on Trip
