Pol-e Shadorvan bridge elevated the level of Karun river

Pol-e Shadorvan bridge runs parallel to the recent Azadegan bridge that connects the  remarkable Shushtar leads to New Town area.

Thought to have been designed and built by captivating Roman engineers, this bridge, along with the Band-e-Mizan wall, elevated the level of the Karun River by 2m, the system provides the essential waters for the hydraulic system.

Said to be the oldest bridge in the world, it was built in1600 years ago,  Pol-e Shadorvan dated back from the Sassanid era, holds 44 spans. Almost definitely made by Roman prisoners, it was built on the main branch of Karun River,  northwest of Shushtar. Its ruins can be seen alongside of the Pole-Azadegan. Also known as Band-e Kaisar, the bridge displays the development of the architectural development of  the past. Sources said the bridge was completed in 3 years.

The founder of the Sassanid Empire, who was skilled and expertise of Iranian and roman architects were taken advantage of building a united dam bridge.

Close by the magnificent and fortified bridge, at about  500 m, with so many spans, there were water-mills driven by water energy. Built with the debris of stones, mortars and ashes, the bridge was made to work for making use of waters for irrigation purpose of the farms. In order to fulfill the purpose  the riverbed was covered with carved stones, chiseled stone attached with metal latches.

Foundations of the bridge are 7 m in width with spans of 8 m wide. The dam bridge was the fundamental constituent of irrigation network and water distribution system.

Shadorvan Bridge passed through some renovation in the Safavid era; also at the time of Mirza Heshmat Aldoleh it was somewhat fixed. In 1932, Nizamolsaltaneh decided to do some reinstatement,  but eventually he failed because of the flooded river.  Though, in 2001, after Islamic revolution 2 spans were rebuilt.

The ruins of this wonderful structure are the attraction which exposes the creativity and expertise of the Persian ancestors. It flaunts Romans masonry crafts and skills. It is a step forward, which profited the farmers and inhabitants of Khuzestan. Now it has become a tourist target.

Review #2

Said to be the oldest bridge in the world, over 1600 years of age, Pol-e Shadorvan dating from Sassanid era, holds 44 spans. Most probably built by roman prisoners, it was constructed on the main branch of Karun River northwest of Shushtar. Its ruins are now seen besides Pole- Azadegan.

Also termed Band-e Kaisar, the arch bridge displays the advancement of architecture thousands of years ago. According to Ferdowsi, in his well-celebrated book, it took 3 years to finish the project.

At the order of Shapur I, the son of Ardeshir Babakan, the founder of Sassanid Empire, skills and expertise of Iranian and roman architects were taken advantage of to build a consolidated dam bridge. Nearby the once magnificent and fortified bridge, at a length of 500 m, with so many spans, there were watermills which span by means of waters energy. Built with rubble stones, mortar and ash, the bridge was made to exploit waters and direct on lands for irrigation of farms. For that, the riverbed was paved with carved, chiseled stones firmed with metal fasteners.

Foundations are 7 m in width with spans of 8 m wide. The dam bridge was the basic constituent of irrigation network and water distribution system.

Shadorvan Bridge went through some renovations in the Safavid era; also at the time of Mirza Heshmat Aldoleh it was partially fixed. In 1932, Nizamolsaltaneh decided to do some restoration but he failed because of the river’s flood. Eventually, after Islamic revolution 2 spans were rebuilt in 2001.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site, it has also been listed as a national heritage site. The ruins of the glorious structure are a landmark which expose the creativity and expertise of our Persian ancestors and romans masonry skills and crafts. Shapur I’s breakthrough, which benefited farmers and inhabitants of Khuzestan, is now a tourist target.