Civil constructions of Islamic culture in Nakhchivan - bridges

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Published on Saturday, 03 February 2018 10:43

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To locate at the intersection of ancient roads connecting the South Caucasus with the Middle East played an important role in the economic and cultural development of Nakhchivan. The adoption of Islamic religion in Nakhchivan, which historically had cultural traditions, resulted in renaissance and prosperity in architecture as well as in different fields of science and culture.

The Decree of the President of the Azerbaijan Republic "On the establishment of the Organizing Committee of Nakhchivan as the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2018" states: "As one of the magnificent cities of the Middle and Near East, Nakhchivan had played a special role in maintaining the centuries-old achievements of Islamic culture throughout its great history".

The Islamic culture examples in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic differ in their diversity and peculiarity. Among the examples of Islamic culture, civil constructions have a special place. Bridges have an especial place among residential, trade buildings, baths, madrasas and other civil constructions. It was impossible to imagine the economic and cultural development of Nakhchivan without them in the Middle Ages. Settlement of residential areas in the mountainous area necessitated the construction of bridges, one of the most important communication facilities of the middle-age centuries. Researches on the territory of the autonomous republic show that the number of such constructions had been more than ever before, but only a few of them have been preserved until today.

The bridges in the autonomous republic can be divided into two groups. The first group bridges were built on the Araz River and linked the north and south of Azerbaijan. One of these bridges was located near Gulustan village of Julfa region. The ruins of the bridge are still here. This civil structure is called "Ziya-ul-Mulk Bridge" in the scientific literature, as well as "Isgandar Bridge" among the people. Medieval author Hamdullah Gazvini gave information about Gerger in Marand in his book Nuzhat al-Gulub: "... On the Araz River, Ziya-ul-Mulk Nakhchivani built a beautiful bridge. This is one of the greatest buildings in the field of charity". Although there is no information about the life of Ziya-ul-Mulk Nakhchivani, Gulustan Bridge is one of the most beautiful examples of medieval Azerbaijani architecture. According to sources, Amir Teymur crossed the Ziya-ul-Mulk bridge when he came to Nakhchivan from Marand and Zer valley in 1386.

The constructive structure of the bridge built with the red sandstone and mortar indicates its high level of construction technique, and it shows seismic stability and natural disasters were considered. There are small loopholes for the flow of rainwater on the walls of the bridge which only small coastal columns and few parts are existing at the moment. There are also such loopholes in the construction of Alinjaqala. This proves that the bridge is based on centuries-old architectural tradition. The researchers said these ideas of Sharafaddin, the historian of Amir Teymur, was about the Gulustan bridge: "The flat bridge, which is built of ashlar, is the most beautiful one among the bridges in the world. The beauty, firmness and mastery of the stones admire all architects; its two arch are very high and wide, while the water is reduced one was 60 gez (18 meters) and the other was 50 gez (15 meters); the caravanserai was built under the small arch, and the unique gates were built on the two ends of the bridge on the rocks". Investigators consider the remains of the bridge linked with coastal columns was caravanserai.

Construction of the bridge dates back to the XII-XIII centuries. Near Gulustan bridge there is a second bridge, known as the Shah Abbas Bridge among the people, and near it there are caravanserais on both banks of the Araz River. It is likely that this bridge was constructed after the Gulustan bridge collapsed and lost its importance. Bridges and caravanserais played an important role in the regulation of economic, cultural and trade relations of Azerbaijan, including Nakhchivan in the Middle Ages.

The bridges included in the second group provided a link between the Nakhchivan villages and played a significant role in economic and cultural relations with other countries. Such bridges include the Lakatag and Gazanchi bridges on Alinjacay, Bilav, Bist, Mazra, Alehi bridges on Gilancay and its branches, the Dadali bridge on Arpachay and others.

Bridges playing an important role in the economic and cultural life of our country were built mainly by stone skillfully, which ensured their longevity. Bridges built in Nakhchivan played an important role in the development of internal and international trade in Azerbaijan. That is why local governors have always gave great importance to the construction and restoration of bridges.

It should be noted that historic and cultural monuments of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are covered by the state care. In accordance with the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated December 6, 2005 "On organizing the protection and passport registration of the historical and cultural monuments in the territory of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic", the historical and cultural monuments, as well as the monuments of Islamic culture in the territory of the autonomous republic have been registered and certificated. At present, the restoration and study of Islamic cultural monuments has become the daily work of the cultural and scientific community of the autonomous republic. Khanagah Architectural Complex, Alinjagala, Gulustan Tomb, Yengija bath-house, Garabaghlar Tomb Complex and tens of other monuments restored and studied in recent years are the result of high care and attention to the Islamic cultural monuments.

We hope that the examples of Islamic culture which reflect a large part of our history will also be protected and preserved in future.

Vali BAKHSHALIYEV

Corresponding member of ANAS

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