GİRESUN’DA GELENEKSEL ÜÇ AHŞAP KÖPRÜ

Abstract

Three wooden bridges which have unknown years of built and one of them was collapsed a few years ago are situated in some subcentral villages in Giresun are presented and evaluated in this study. Two wooden bridges (Han Bridge and Ezirkan Bridge), which one of them was destroyed a few years ago, are on Batlama Creek that draw a line between subcentral Hisargeris Sayca and Hisargeris-Uzkara villages in Giresun and also another bridge (Ahmed Aga Bridge) on Lapa (Great) Creek within the borders of subcentral Lapa village in Giresun are analysed in this study. The bridges that form a part of traditional rural architecture preserve their original appearances on a large scale. There are unfortunately very few examples have been remained in our country because this kind of bridges does not fulfill new requirements, they are abandoned and destroyed soon after new bridges are erected. These buildings merely have been subjected to the academical analyses and published and some of them are on the brink of destruction because they have not been registered. These building that being surveyed shows rural construction features of Black Sea Region characteristically. The bridges have hipped roofs on wooden columns and stone pillars carrying beams and girder. We suppose that the roofs were covered with tiles originally. At present they are covered with galvanized sheets (spelter). The buildings that functionally prominent are devoid of ornamentation. These buildings represent the similar tradition with their materials, technical qualities, architectural expressions. There is not an inscription or documentation about years of built of the bridges. But considering the similar traditional styles and the similar wooden bridges in Trabzon, Cankiri, Kastamonu, it is thought that these bridges were built between 19th and early 20th centuries. However, all of them looks as if they were built at a latter date with their present situations based upon restorations and partial renovations. The sorts of wood used for the bridges are oak and chestnut which are common locally. The oak and chestnut trees are known as long lived, very solid and adaptable with the rainy climate in the region. Because of that, they are suitable for the construction of bridges. It is helpful that recognition of the little known wooden bridges in terms of traditional construction style. We hope that this study will make a contribution to the protection of wooden bridges.