Zaman Khan Bridge

🕰️When was it built?

The bridge dates from the Safavid era and is attributed to Zaman Khan. Accounts differ about the exact year it was built and some details of its history. It is on Iran's National Heritage List and has been repaired and strengthened several times in later periods.

🏛️What was it built for?

The bridge was part of the road network of the Saman area and let caravans cross the Zayandeh Rud. Today the building and the flowing water together shape the view. To watch it, choose a safe spot on a public path, and ask the people in charge whether crossing the structure is allowed.

👀What you will see

• The bridge's two arched spans let the water flow beneath the crossing.
• The brick face of the bridge is built with sarooj mortar; follow the line of the arches from the bank, away from the water.
• The piers between the spans carry the weight of the upper part down to the riverbed; don't go under the bridge or beside the piers to see the details.
• The bridge's course runs above the Zayandeh Rud; see how the structure and the flow relate from a safe spot outside the restoration area.

💡Something interesting

Problems with the water flow had caused some of the stones around the bridge to fall. So the latest restoration is not only about how the bricks look; studying how the river behaves has also played a part in the protection plan.

🎒Good to know before you go