Çağlayan Bridge (İltekin Gazi Bridge)

Çağlayan Köprüsü is located within the boundaries of the central district of Amasya in Türkiye’s Black Sea Region. It is approximately 5–6 kilometres from the city centre of Amasya. The bridge is situated on the Tokat highway, at the junction of the 15th Infantry Training Brigade Command and in the Eryatağı area of Helvacı Mahallesi. The bridge spans the Yeşilırmak River.

^{Çağlayan Köprüsü} (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye)

The exact date of construction and the patron of Çağlayan Köprüsü are not definitively known. However, according to general scholarly consensus, the bridge was built in 1075 or 1076 by İltekin Gazi, one of the Danişmendid emirs. Some sources state that it was commissioned by İltekin Gazi’s son, Hüsamüddevle Hasan, in the 12th century.

Çağlayan Köprüsü is approximately 70 metres long. Its piers are constructed from cut stone, while its arches are made of brick. The bridge rests on six circular arches, all built entirely of cut stone. On the western side of the piers, triangular cutwaters (current breakers) are present. Additionally, on the western portion of the central pier, there is a square projection.

^{Çağlayan Köprüsü.} (Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye)

Çağlayan Köprüsü is also known as İltekin Gazi Köprüsü. For many years, it was commonly referred to by the local population as “İltekin Köprüsü”. It is also known locally by names such as “Çalak” or “Çalık”. These names are believed to have derived from the words “çağlak” or “çahlak”, which mean “waterfall” or “cascade”.