Khaju Bridge – Amazing Stone Bridge of Iran

Khaju Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the province of Isfahan, Iran and has roused the admiration of travellers since the 17th century.  It was built by the Shah Abbas on the foundations of an older bridge around 1650.Khaju Bridge have 24 arches and 133 metres long and 12 metres wide. It links the Khaju quarter on the north bank with the Zoroastrian quarter across the Zayandeh River It also functions as a weir the downstream side is formed as a series of steps carrying the water to a much lower level

The Khaju bridges performs many functions the first most obvious one is connecting the two banks of the Zayandeh River. At the same time it works as a dam that separates two portions of the river with different water levels.

The pass way of the bridge is 7.5 meters wide and is also made of bricks and stones with 22 larger and 27 smaller inlet and outlet channels. The pieces of stone used in this bridge are over 2 meters long and the distance between every channel and the ceiling base is 21 meters. The existing inscriptions suggest that the bridge was repaired in 1873.

Khaju is one of the bridges that regulate the water flow in the river because there are sluice gates under the archways over the river. When the sluice gates are closed, the water level behind the Bridge is raised to facilitate the irrigation of the many gardens along the river upstream of this bridge.

Khaju was originally decorated with artistic tile work and paintings and served as a tea house. In the centre of the structure, a pavilion exists inside which Shah Abbas would have once sat. Also in the centre of the bridge on both the down and the upstream sides there are vantage points which give the visitors remarkable views.

The bridge is an arch bridge and thus does not need cables or additional supports.  It is a semi-circular structure with abutments on each end part of a structure that bears the weight or pressure of an arch. It also served a primary function as a building and a place for public meetings and it is good place for the visitor. In 2008, the Khaju Bridge, described as one of the world's great multifunctional bridges, made the list of the world's 10 most amazing bridges at number nine.  In addition it is one of the most historical and interesting places you can visit in a country which has more than its fair share of historic and beautiful monuments.