Karabıyık Köprüsü, Yozgat-Boğazlıyan karayolunda Kanak Suyu üzerinde yer alan, Yavuz Sultan Selim'in 1516 Mısır seferinde yaptırdığı sivri kemerli taş köprüdür ve 2018'de restore edilerek ulaşıma açılmıştır.
Karabıyık Bridge is a structure built by Yavuz Sultan Selim in 1516 when he set out for his Egyptian campaign. It is a two-arched bridge with pointed arches, covered with finely cut stone over rubble masonry. The stone railings are still standing, but occasional crumbling and collapses are observed. Since its inscription has not survived to the present day, the bridge's construction story largely relies on archive records and oral information.
The bridge, which is 54 meters long and 4.5 meters wide, was built over the Kanak Stream. The arch spans are approximately 6.60 meters. Although the surface was asphalted at one point, the stone pavement can still be seen in places. It was restored in accordance with its original form in 2018 and reopened to traffic; today, a small number of vehicles and pedestrians pass over it.
Despite being one of the oldest structures in the city, its promotion has been weak, resulting in a low number of visitors. This gives the bridge an advantage: no crowds, just the sound of the stream and the texture of the stone. It's a short stop for those heading towards Boğazlıyan, and a quiet corner for those who want to be alone with history.
Guide's Note
Best Time to Visit
Since the bridge is outdoors, weather conditions directly affect the visit. In spring, the flow of the Kanak Stream is more visible, and the surrounding vegetation comes alive. In summer heat, skipping the midday hours and visiting in the morning or late afternoon offers a more comfortable experience. In winter, road conditions can change, so going by car on snowy days might be a bit difficult.
How to Get There
You need to follow the highway from Yozgat city center towards Boğazlıyan. The bridge is north of the Karabıyık Village road junction and slightly off the main road, so it's important to drive carefully; signage and directions are quite limited. If you have your own car, the most practical way is to enter the village name into your navigation app and then observe the last 200-250 meters. Those using public transport can get off at the village junction from minibuses going towards Boğazlıyan and reach it by walking.
How Much Time to Allocate
The bridge is a small structure, so 15-30 minutes is sufficient. For those who want to take photos, examine the stone craftsmanship up close, and sit by the stream for a while, this time can extend up to half an hour. It can be considered as part of a day trip planned with other historical sites in Yozgat (such as Çapanoğlu Mosque, Yozgat Museum).
Suggested Route
It makes sense to plan it as an intermediate stop on your way from Yozgat city center towards Boğazlıyan. Visiting the historical structures within the city in the morning and then stopping by the bridge in the afternoon completes the day without being tiring. If you are continuing to Boğazlıyan, the bridge becomes a natural rest stop; it's also possible to stop again on the way back and take photos in different lighting.
Things to Pay Attention To
Since the bridge is no longer open to vehicle traffic, it is necessary to be careful when walking on it; there are occasional crumbling sections in the railings. The surroundings are not a landscaped visitor area, but a natural riverside left in its original state. For those going alone, it is useful to consider that it can become deserted, especially in the evening hours.
Photography Tips
The most striking shot is to go down to stream level and capture both archways of the bridge in the same frame. In the morning light, the texture of the stone stands out more clearly. Photos taken from the top of the bridge also show the flow of the Kanak Stream and the surrounding greenery; they yield good results even with phone cameras that don't have wide-angle lenses.
Historical Background
Since the bridge's inscription has not survived to the present day, information about its construction date and patron is based on archive records. It is stated that it was built during Yavuz Sultan Selim's Egyptian campaign in 1516 for the passage of the army. Restored in accordance with its original form in 2018, the bridge is considered one of Yozgat's oldest structures with a history of approximately 500 years.
This content originates from neresigezilir.com.tr and may not be copied without permission.
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