Akoluk Bridge is a 19th-century masonry stone bridge with five supports located over Derinçay in Akoluk Village, Ulubey district of Ordu; it was restored in 2012 and is free to visit.
Akoluk Bridge is located in the Derinçay area of Akoluk Village, Ulubey district of Ordu. According to the records of the Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project, it dates back to the 19th century, built as a masonry structure with five supports and four arches. Its arches are sometimes round, sometimes pointed. This is one of the details requiring mastery in stone craftsmanship.
The bridge must have been out of use for a long time, as it was taken for restoration by the Samsun Highways 7th Regional Directorate in 2012. After the work was completed, the bridge is open to visitors in its current state. There is a small difference between sources regarding the age of the structure: some records say 150-200 years, while the inventory project points to the 19th century. Both roughly coincide with the same period.
Akoluk is a quiet village, a bit far from Ordu city center. Visitors to the bridge usually also visit the nearby Kızılin Bridge on the same route, seeing both stone bridges together. The surrounding greenery and flowing water also provide a good backdrop for photos.
Related discoveries: Historical Places, Ordu historical places, Çambaşı Yaylası.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Akoluk Bridge can be visited all year round, but village roads can become difficult in winter. Visiting between late spring and summer is more enjoyable, both in terms of road conditions and when the surrounding greenery is most vibrant. Although colors change in autumn, the stone ground can become slippery with increased rainfall, so it's good to be careful.
How to Get There
From Ordu city center, you can reach Ulubey district by road. After arriving in Ulubey, you need to turn towards Akoluk Village, and the signs within the village will guide you to the bridge. Since public transport is infrequent in this area, going by your own car or by minibuses from the village is the most realistic option. There are narrow bends along the road, so careful driving is required.
How Much Time to Allocate
The bridge itself is a small structure, and visiting it takes 20-30 minutes. However, instead of just seeing this after traveling to the region, it makes more sense to add the nearby Kızılin Bridge to the same day's itinerary. The two bridges are about 9 kilometers apart, sufficient for a day-long nature and history tour.
Route Suggestion
A route can be planned starting from Ulubey town center, first visiting Akoluk Bridge, then Kızılin Bridge. Both bridges are masonry stone structures, complementing each other and offering an opportunity to compare the craftsmanship of the same period. If time permits, other historical sites in Ulubey center can also be added to the route.
Good Spots for Photography
Shots taken from under the bridge's arches best show its four-arched structure. Framing the bridge with the greenery and water from the side where Derinçay flows also yields good results. The light is softer in the morning, making the texture of the stone more prominent.
Things to Pay Attention To
There are no railings on the sides of the bridge, so caution is required, especially when visiting with children. The stone ground can become slippery after rain, so prefer walking shoes. Phone reception can be weak on the village road, so downloading directions beforehand will make your trip easier.
About the Structure
According to the records of the Eastern Black Sea Cultural Inventory Project, the bridge was built as a masonry structure with five supports and four arches. The arches are partly round, partly pointed. This mixture is a typical example of the stone bridge tradition in the region. Before the 2012 restoration, the structure had been neglected for a long time, and after the work, it regained its current sturdy condition.
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