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Bridge · Edirne · 32 m

Tundzha Bridge, Edirne

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Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Tunca Bridge, Edirne
Photo: Julian Nyča, CC BY-SA, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edirne_Tunca_Bridge_2.JPG#/media/File:Edirne_Tunca_Bridge_2.JPG

The Tundzha Bridge, also known as the Ekmekçioğlu Ahmet Paşa Bridge, is an early 17th-century Ottoman stone bridge in Edirne. It forms part of a historic crossing system linking the city’s centre with the Karaağaç district across the Tundzha and Maritsa rivers. The bridge is an important example of classical Ottoman civil engineering in one of the former imperial capitals.

The Tundzha Bridge was constructed between 1607 and 1615 under the patronage of Ekmekçioğlu Ahmed Pasha, an influential Ottoman statesman. It was designed as part of a wider infrastructure network in Edirne, then a major Ottoman administrative and cultural centre. The bridge facilitated movement between the historic city centre and the western suburbs, including the summer quarter of Karaağaç, crossing the Tundzha River and connecting further to the Maritsa (Meriç) River system.

Built in typical Ottoman stone masonry, the bridge reflects the architectural and engineering standards of the early 17th century, with carefully proportioned arches designed to withstand seasonal flooding. Its design later influenced the construction of the nearby New Meriç Bridge, completed in 1842. That later bridge suffered damage during the Second World War, with parts temporarily replaced by steel structures before being restored to its original form in 2007. Together, these bridges illustrate the long continuity of infrastructure development in Edirne across Ottoman and modern periods.

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Maria Veronese

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Sultans Trail - a European Cultural Route

Public transport

Edirne is well connected by intercity bus services from Istanbul, Ankara, and other major Turkish cities. Local minibuses (dolmuş) and municipal buses provide regular connections within the city, including routes to the Karaağaç district. The bridge area is accessible via local public transport or a short taxi ride from the city centre.

Directions

From Edirne city centre, follow the road towards Karaağaç, crossing the Tundzha River via the historic bridge route. The bridge is located along this main axis connecting the old town with the western district. It can also be reached on foot from central Edirne in approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on the starting point.

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Coordinates

41.667953, 26.554200

DMS

41°40'04.6"N 26°33'15.1"E

UTM

35T 462888 4613006

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