Varda Bridge, located in the province of Adana, near the village of Hacıkırı in the Karaisalı district, is a significant railway viaduct from the Ottoman Empire period. Built between 1907 and 1912, the bridge is considered one of the most important structures of the Istanbul-Baghdad-Hejaz Railway line. The bridge is also known as the "German Bridge" in popular parlance; this name stems from the involvement of German engineers and workers in its construction. The bridge is an impressive engineering feat that spans the deep Çakıt Stream Valley between the Taurus Mountains, with a height of 99 meters and a length of 172 meters.
Historical Context and Construction Process
The construction of Varda Bridge was a result of the strategic cooperation between the Ottoman Empire and the German Empire. The agreement signed in 1888 between German Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm and Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II included a plan for the construction of the Baghdad Railway line. This agreement encompassed a project that was of military and commercial significance. The Baghdad Railway was intended to strengthen German interests in the Middle East and provide access to oil resources through Ottoman territories. During the construction process, German engineers and workers were involved, alongside local laborers from the region.
Work on the bridge began in 1905 and was completed in 1910. The construction was finalized after challenging work against the steep and high Taurus Mountains. To make use of local resources, timber was sourced from trees around Belemedik and its surroundings. Additionally, a cable car system was used for the first time in the construction process, facilitating the transportation of stones and building materials to the bridge.
Engineering Features and Design
Varda Bridge was constructed using the steel lattice technique. This construction method increased the strength and durability of the bridge. The structural design of the bridge includes three main spans and four supporting piers. The highest of the bridge's piers reaches a height of 93 meters, while the entire structure rises to 99 meters. The total length of the viaduct is 172 meters. The techniques used in the bridge's construction resemble some features found in the Hejaz Railway. Furthermore, some of the engineering techniques used in the bridge's construction are similar to those in other significant bridge projects of the time.
Varda Bridge is one of the rare bridges where a slightly curved design was preferred during construction. This design was specifically chosen to prevent heavy trains from damaging the bridge's supports. Additionally, ladders placed on the bridge's supports contribute to the structure's longevity by facilitating maintenance and repair work.
Cultural and Historical Importance
Varda Bridge is an important structure that reflects the technological and engineering advancements of its time. Additionally, the bridge is considered a symbol of the relations between the Ottoman Empire and Germany. It is referred to as the "German Bridge" by the Turkish people, a name derived from the involvement of German engineers in its construction.
The bridge has been used as a film set by many local and foreign filmmakers. Notably, its appearance in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall made the bridge a globally recognized symbol. However, while the film depicted a river flowing under the bridge, it is known that there is no watercourse passing beneath the bridge in reality. This scene in the film increased the bridge's popularity and attracted more tourists.
