Justinianus Bridge

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are the best times to visit the bridge, both for the mild weather and the surrounding greenery. In summer, Sakarya can be hot and humid; visiting early in the morning, around 08:00-09:00, makes the visit much more comfortable.

The bridge is occasionally completely closed as part of ongoing restoration work. Multiple visitors report that access to the immediate vicinity is blocked, and the bridge can only be viewed from a distance. We recommend checking the Sakarya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism or the Culture Portal before you go.

The Justinianus Bridge is located approximately 8 km from Sakarya city center, in the Beşköprü area of the Serdivan district. It can be reached by public transportation operating between Adapazarı city center and Serdivan.

Those coming by private car can proceed from the Serdivan direction and follow the Beşköprü area signs. There is limited parking available nearby. Since the bridge is on the route between Adapazarı and Serdivan, it is easy to create a daily itinerary by combining it with other historical sites in the city.

Byzantine Emperor Justinian I built many monumental structures during his reign from 527-565 AD; the most famous of these is Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. This bridge in Sakarya was also built by order of the same emperor between 558-562 AD. It is almost contemporary with Hagia Sophia.

The structure, built entirely of cut stone, is located over the Çark Stream, which carries the waters of Sapanca Lake to the Sakarya River, taking into account the old bed of the Sakarya River. With its 365-meter length and 12 arches, it is considered one of the most magnificent bridges of the early Byzantine period in Anatolia. The bridge is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

To capture the entire length of the bridge in a single frame, you need to go to the open areas on the north or south side of the structure. Its 365-meter length and 12 arches offer an ideal composition for wide-angle lenses.

Although access to the immediate vicinity is restricted due to restoration work, visitors note that the scale of the structure is impressive even from a distance. The light before sunset creates warm tones on the stone surface; this time of day is best for photography.

As of our research date, the bridge is closed to visitors due to ongoing restoration work. Many visitors report that signs direct them to the bridge, but access to the immediate vicinity is blocked. To avoid a wasted trip, confirm the current status via the Culture Portal or the Sakarya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism before you go.

There are no facilities (cafes, toilets, visitor center) around the bridge. Remember to keep your visit short and bring water with you.

There are no food and drink establishments immediately around the bridge. The closest options are in Serdivan district center or Adapazarı. For those who want to taste Sakarya's local cuisine, Adapazarı's famous ıslama köfte (wet meatballs) and pastry desserts stand out. Cooked local dishes can also be found in restaurants in the city center.

The bridge alone accounts for a half-hour visit. If you are going to Sakarya specifically for this bridge, adding other historical and cultural sites of the city to your itinerary makes the day much more productive. Adapazarı city center, the area around Sapanca Lake, and historical mosques in nearby districts can be visited on the same day.