Hatay’s historical riches have once again come to light with the restoration and re-erection of the Danaahmetli Bridge, which is located in the Kırıkhan district and dates back to the Ottoman period, despite the earthquake. Rising magnificently over the Karasu River and rumored to have been built by Mimar Sinan, this historical structure evokes great admiration as one of the rare examples of Ottoman bridge architecture. The bridge, which stands out with its length of 84,5 meters and width of 4,5 meters, is an important part of the historical identity of the region.
Despite the Difficult Processes, the Historical Heritage Was Protected
The restoration work initiated by the General Directorate of Highways in 2020 encountered unexpected difficulties. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent February 6 earthquakes caused disruptions in the restoration process. However, the bridge damaged in the earthquake was reconsidered with the determined efforts of the authorities and restored with great care, remaining faithful to the original. During the restoration excavations, two new arches of the bridge were unearthed, revealing the historical depth of the structure.
Pride of Rising Again and Contribution to the Region
AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yayman stated that the restoration of the bridge was a great source of pride in terms of protecting the historical heritage. Yayman thanked Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdülkadir Uraloğlu and General Director of Highways Ahmet Gülşen for their support for this important work. Kırıkhan Mayor Ömer Erdal Çelik emphasized that the restoration made a significant contribution to the historical texture of the district. Danaahmetli Neighborhood Headman Mehmet Saydam also stated that the bridge was not just a crossing point, but a symbol representing the emotional bond the people established with their past. The revival of this historical bridge will provide significant contributions to the region in terms of both tourism and culture, and will be passed on to future generations as a valuable heritage.
