Mending Of Isfahan’s Khajou Bridge Begins

Isfahan, July 1, IRNA – Cultural Monuments Deputy of Isfahan Province Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Head Office, Nasser Taheri, said here Sunday evening that in the framework of mending operations of Isfahan’s historical bridges, mending of Khajou Bridge began on Sunday. According to the Public Relations Office of the Isfahan Province Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Head Office, Taheri reiterated that the reconstruction and mending operation of Khajou Bridge proceeds under close scrutiny of historical monuments experts of that head office. He added, “Sealing of the distance between the bricks of the side walls of the bridge and mending the bridge roof, the chutes, and water outlet canals of Khajou Bridge are among the mending process work.” Khajou Bridge is arguably the finest bridge in the province of Isfahan, Iran. It was built by the Persian Safavid king, Shah Abbas II around 1650 C.E., on the foundations of an older bridge. Serving as both a bridge, and a dam, it links the Khajou quarter on the north bank with the Zoroastrian quarter across the Zayandeh River. Although architecturally functioning as a bridge and a weir, it also served a primary function as a building and a place for public meetings. This structure originally was ornamented with artistic tileworks and paintings serving as a teahouse; In the center of the structure, a pavilion exists inside of which Shah Abbas would have once sat, admiring the views. Today remnants of a stone seat are all that remains of the kingˈs chair. This bridge highlights one of the finest examples of Persian architecture at the height of Safavid cultural influence in Iran. In words of Upham Pope and Jean Chardin, Khajou Bridge is ˈthe culminating monument of Persian bridge architecture and one of the most interesting bridges extant...where the whole has rhythm and dignity and combines in the happiest consistency, utility, beauty, and recreation.ˈ Specifications The bridge is constructed to highlight the natural beauty of the river. Khajou Bridge has 24 arcs and is 133 meters long and 12 meters wide. The pass way of the bridge is 7.5 meters wide, made of bricks and stones with 21 larger and 26 smaller inlet and outlet channels. The pieces of stone used in this bridge are over 2 meters long and the distance between every channel and the ceiling base is 21 meters. The existing inscriptions suggest that the bridge was repaired in 1873. Khajou is one of the bridges that regulate the water flow in the river because there are sluice gates under the archways over the river. When the sluice gates are closed, the water level behind the bridge is raised to facilitate the irrigation of the many gardens along the river upstream of this bridge. On the upper level of the bridge, the main central aisle was utilized by horses and carts and the vaulted paths on either side by pedestrians. Octagonal pavilions in the center of the bridge on both the down and the upstream sides provide vantage points for the remarkable views. The lower level of the bridge may be accessed by pedestrians and remains a popular shady place for relaxing. Iranian urban architects, however, note their dismay with the recent and modern renovations that have taken place at the Khajou./end