SULTAN SÜLEYMAN BRIDGE

Büyükçekmece - Istanbul - Turkey



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This bridge is on the Büyükçekmece Lake, Kültürpark about 40 km from Istanbul, at the juncture of Büyükçekmece lake and Marmara Sea on the Istanbul-Edirne road. The bridge connects Büyükçekmece to the Mimarsinan Township.

Spanning 636 meters over the natural channel that connects the Büyükçekmece Lake with the Sea of Marmara to the south, the bridge was built beginning 1563 by Süleyman I (Kanuni Sultan Süleyman or Süleyman the Magnificent, 1520-1566) during his Szigetvar campaign. Upon his death, Selim II ordered the completion of the bridge and it was subsequently used during the return of the Army from the Expedition.

Sinan describes this bridge as one of his most favorite works. Perhaps this explains why the Büyükçekmece Bridge is the only one of his works that carries Sinan’s personal signature. Unfortunately, the original signature was stolen and has been substituted by a replica.

A stone bridge built by the Romans and restored by Mehmed II allowed passage further north prior to the construction of the current bridge by head-architect Sinan. Sinan also designed a small complex on the eastern bank of the channel for Sokullu Mehmed Paşa that consists of a fountain (çeşme), caravanserai (kervansaray) and a small mosque (mescit) known as Sokullu Mehmed Paşa Mescidi or Köprübaşı (foot of the bridge) Mosque. The bridge and the complex were completed a year into the rule of Sultan Süleyman's successor, Sultan Selim II (1566-1574).

The structure also known as the Büyükçekmece Bridge consists of four sections that individually ascend and descend carried on arches, resting on artificial islands placed in between. From east to west, the first two sections have seven arches each, followed by a five and a nine-arched section, with four-centered arches varying from 4.5 to 11.9 meters in width.

After choosing firm ground closer to the seabed to span the channel, Sinan laid hexagonal artificial islands with thick retaining walls for during low tide. Lead was poured into caissons dug into the seabed prior to filling the foundations to create a stronger foundation.

The bridge carries a two-lane cobblestone road that is protected with shallow stone barriers on either side. The first section at the eastern end has two stone balconies at its apex that project over the river carried on stone braces. The forth section, to the west, has two inscription panels facing each other on either side of the road. Composed in Arabic, the southern panel offers praise to Süleyman I and Selim II and gives the date of construction.

Mimar Sinan, who is referred to as Yusuf bin Abdullah in this panel, also has a signature to its side displaying this alternative name that is only mentioned in an early version of his monograph, Tezkiret-ül Ebniye. The northern panel is in Turkish and announces the completion of the bridge by Sultan Selim II.

A highway bridge was built to the south of the Sultan Süleyman Bridge in 1950 to accommodate intercity traffic. The historic bridge was restored in 1970 by the Turkish Highways Administration and is closed to traffic.

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BÜYÜKÇEKMECE LAKE

Küçükçekmece - Istanbul - Turkey

GPS : 41°05'20.0"N 28°31'10.4"E / 41.088898, 28.519551



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Lake Büyükçekmece (Turkish: Büyükçekmece Gölü) is a liman formed at the point where the river Karasudere flows into the Marmara Sea. The lake is located south of the Çatalca district, west of Istanbul, Turkey. It is used as a freshwater reservoir.

The lake's bar was reinforced in 1988 by a dam. The area of the lake is 28.47 km2 (10.99 sq mi), and is 7 km (4.3 mi) long and 2 km (1.2 mi) wide. The maximum depth is 8.6 m (28 ft), following deepening carried out by the State Hydraulic Works.

The fluvial lake developed as the flow of Karasudere, and as it came downwards from Çatalca it was blocked off and formed by the resulting sandbank it created. A reedy, brackish salt-water lake exists between the Büyükçekmece Dam and the Marmara Sea. Another lagoon, Lake Küçükçekmece, is located around 12 km (7.5 mi) east of Lake Büyükçekmece.

The number of fish species observed in the lake has decreased from 30 in the past to 15 currently.

A historic 635 m (2,083 ft) long and 7.17 m (23.5 ft) wide multiple arch bridge, named after the Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan (1489-1588), spans the narrow opening at the bar connecting the lake to the sea.

At the northern shore of the lake, Istanbul Hezarfen Airfield is situated on a peninsula.

Primary inflows : Karasudere
Catchment area : 622 km2 (240 sq mi)
Max. length : 7 km (4.3 mi)
Max. width : 2 km (1.2 mi)
Surface area : 28.47 km2 (10.99 sq mi)
Max. depth : 8.6 m (28 ft)
Water volume : 16,161 hm3 (3.877 cu mi)

The lake, which is not protected, was declared by Bird Life International as an Important Bird Area in 1989 for its numerous distinct and threatened waterfowl species.

Among the breeding birds are Small Honeysuckle, Spinach, Elm, Oak, Hare, Long lLg, Marsh Falcon, Mallard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Greater Flamingo, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Pygmy Cormorant, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Coot, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Rock Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Alpine Swift, Common Swift, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Great Tit, Barn Swallow, Common Starling, House Sparrow, Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Common Chaffinch.

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AYDOS FOREST AND LAKE

Sultanbeyli - İstanbul - Turkey

GPS : 40°57'09.0"N 29°13'57.0"E / 40.952500, 29.232500



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It is rich of mainly pine trees, contains jogging routes, picnic areas and a lake. Excellent spot for photo enthusiasts. 6620 acres in size, Aydos forest is a natural recreational area and oxygen source.

The old name of the Aydos Mountain which is Istanbul’s highest hill was Aetos which means Eagle in Greek. 23 different types of birds currently live in the forest which was used as a hunting area in the Ottoman times. The forest where there are remains of the historical Aydos Castle stands out as one of the rare places in the city where nature meets history.

Aydos Hill (Turkish: Aydos Tepesi) is a hill in the north of Kartal district of Istanbul, Turkey. Its peak at 537 m (1,762 ft) above sea level is the highest point of Istanbul. The hill is surrounded by woods.

Aydos' name comes from Aydos Fortress, which was situated next to the hill. The fortress was built in the first half of 6th century by the Roman Empire. Today, the ruins of Aydos Fortress are in the Sultanbeyli and Pendik district of Istanbul.

The area where we sat was quite conducive to talking because it was well-shaded. Sunlight peeked through various branches above us but its heat was reduced due to a steady, light breeze throughout the afternoon.

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