Khajoo Bridge
Khajoo Bridge is one of the historical and beautiful bridges of Isfahan, which is considered as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Walking on Khajoo Bridge, especially in the evening and early night, is one of the most enjoyable activities that tourists could have in their program. In this article from Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency, we want to take you to watch this historical monument.
History of Khajoo Bridge
Khajoo Bridge is situated on Zayandehrood and connects the new Khajoo neighborhood on the north side of the river to Takht-e Folad and the tomb of Babarkanuddin and the Feyz neighborhood on the south side of the river. Khajoo Bridge was built in 1060 AH, during the Safavid rule and by order of Shah Abbas II Safavid. Archaeologists believe that the bridge was built in its place after the demolition of another bridge from the Timurid period, called the Hassan Bey Bridge. Hence, it was also called Hassan Bey Bridge, as well as Shahi Bridge, Shiraz, and Baba Rokn al-Din Bridge (because it was a way to go to the tomb of Baba Rokn al-Din, one of the famous mystics and monasteries).
But today it is known because of its location in Khajoo neighborhood. Historians believe that Shah Abbas II built this bridge to connect the two neighborhoods of Hassanabad and Khajoo Gates with Shiraz and Takht-e-Foolad. In the middle of the Khajoo Bridge, a special building known as Biglerbegi or Shahneshin has been built and it still exists. Shah Abbas, in order to be able to stay on this bridge for a short time with his family, considered Shahneshin in the middle of the bridge.
Throughout history, in addition to traveling along the Zayandeh River, the bridge has been used to watch the king and his entourage racing, entertaining and entertaining. In the construction and decoration of the arches of Khajoo Bridge, unique paintings and tiles have been used, which has made it more special and beautiful than other bridges built on the Zayandeh River. Khajoo Bridge is truly one of the masterpieces of Iranian-Islamic architecture that fascinates every viewer with its dazzling beauty. There is an inscription in the southern part of the bridge which shows that Khajoo Bridge was restored during the reign of Nasreddin Shah Qajar in 1290 AH. Khajoo Bridge was registered in the list of national monuments of Iran on January 6, 1961
Reason of naming
Khajoo Bridge, like many historical monuments in Isfahan, has several names. The most famous name of the bridge is Khajoo Bridge, which has been chosen due to its location in the Khajoo area of Isfahan. This bridge is also called Hassan Beyk because archaeologists believe that before this, an abandoned bridge called Hassan Beyk replaced the Khajoo Bridge, which was destroyed and replaced by this magnificent bridge.
It is also called the Timurid Bridge because Timur ordered it to be built. Baba Rokn al-Din Bridge is also one of the other names of this bridge because it is located on the way to Baba Rokn al-Din shrine. Khajoo Bridge was located near the road from Isfahan to Shiraz and at some points in history, it was called Shiraz Bridge. Khajoo Bridge is also known as “Hassan Abad Bridge” because the old name of Khajoo neighborhood was Hassanabad and Gabr bridges like Gabr or Zoroastrians used to go to their neighborhood via this bridge. Shah Abbas II built the Khajoo Bridge in 1060 AH, and this made it known as the Shahi Bridge because in the middle of the bridge was a place of recreation and temporary residence for the king and his entourages.
Architecture of Khajoo Bridge
Khajoo Bridge was considered as one of the best and most beautiful bridges in the world during the Safavid period. This bridge has 4 floors and is made of stone, brick and mortar. It has a length equal to 132.5 meters and a width equal to 12 meters and its passage is 7.5 meters. Beautiful decorations and unique tiles in the middle of Khajoo bridge, has made it a prominent building among the historical buildings of Isfahan. Safavid era engineers solved the water problem of Isfahan city by constructing Khajoo bridge and creating facilities and dams, etc., and at the same time, by washing the soil and cultivating the land, they caused the sustainability and expansion of development. The bridge has 16 water drain valves and drawers.
These drawers control and regulate the amount of water flow and the amount of water collected behind the dam bridge by raising and lowering the valves. Khajoo Bridge has 24 spans. These openings are made with carefully cut squares. In the eastern part of the Khajoo Bridge, there are two flat stone slabs. In the middle part, there is a relatively large cobblestone at the bottom of the river. From the riverbed to the bottom of the bridge, 11 stone steps have been built. On the eastern side of the Khajoo Bridge, there are two large stone lions, it is said that they are the symbol of the Bakhtiari army and the protector of Isfahan in the Safavid era.
Unfortunately, due to the unkindness of some visitors, these two stone statues have been severely damaged in recent years. Using the principle of proportionality in the construction of the building and repeating spaces of the same size and shape with the same function has also created a beautiful and interesting image of the Khajoo Bridge.
Intresting things about Khajoo Bridge
One interesting point about Khajoo Bridge is the different designs and patterns of the bridge spans, which have doubled its charm. Each of these designs belongs to an artist of Isfahan and has dazzled the eyes of every viewer for many years. It is interesting to know that Khajoo Bridge was a men’s bridge and women were not allowed to cross. Khajoo Bridge is not only a place of passage, but also a house for the royal residence to be the temporary stayed there by kings and nobles. In addition, in critical situations, it could play the role of a dam and seal.
When a flood occurs, the Khajoo Bridge carries water to a series of canals and causes it to spread, thus not only prevent damaging the city, but also filling the aquifers. If these canals did not exist, Isfahan might have been destroyed by various floods. Another point is that Khajoo is a bridge that has been involved in regulating the flow of water in the river due to the presence of a gate or valve under its arches.
When the dam gates were closed, the water level at the back of the Khajoo Bridge rose, making it possible to create a lake behind the bridge. The construction of this dam and lake was to create a pleasant view of the buildings and gardens which are located near the Khajoo Bridge, and while sitting in those buildings and gardens, people enjoyed the view of the lake that was created by closing the dam.
Stone lions
On both sides of the Khajoo Bridge, there are two beautiful stone lions that if you stand in front of one of the lions and look into the eyes of the lion, the eyes of that lion will shine. Some believe that these two stone lions are a symbol of Bakhtiari troops who bravely protect Isfahan and Zayandehrood. But some scholars believe that these lions are not a special symbol or guardians of the Khajoo Bridge, guardians of Isfahan or Zayandehrud in Safavid era.
compared to the surviving images from European travelogues, especially Chardin, as well as the narrations and research done on the Khajoo Bridge, there is no indication of the presence of these stone lions and their specific temporal and thematic connections cannot be found with Khajoo Bridge, because basically the main nature of these lions spread, is related to religious issues. But what is the secret or treasure in the bridge that needs a guard? The answer is that stone lions do not belong to the architecture and construction of Khajoo bridge at all! These heavy sculptures have been moved here from another place.
Khajoo Bridge is a place to have fun
The space around Khajoo Bridge is a place for people to walk and have fun during the holidays, especially in the spring and summer seasons. In some architectural sources, it is mentioned that Khajoo Bridge had a function similar to Tehran Nature Bridge and was not just a simple passage. This bridge is designed for people to stop in corners and have fun together. The beauty of this bridge is exemplary at night and many people come to Khajoo Bridge to create happy moments for themselves and enjoy the cool atmosphere. Walking on this bridge is one of the favorite activities of the tourists and locals and it is a pleasure for them to watch its different effects of Khajoo Bridge
.There is always joy and happiness in Khajoo Bridge especially when musicians come and have performance there to show their talent and art and create a wonderful vibe. According to historical documents, the Khajoo Bridge has not been a simple means of communication in the past; Rather, it has always been a place for people to have fun.
Historical sources have often talked about lighting the bridge and holding celebrations on it. For example, in the book Qasas al-Khaqani written by Vali Qoli Beg Shamlou is stated that:”In 1060 AH, when the bridge was built and became known as the Royal Bridge; After the Nowruz holiday of that year, according to the order of Shah Abbas Thani, the bridge was decorated and illuminated, and each of its pavilions was decorated by one of the nobles and elders, and was prepared for the celebration. Tabrizi (a famous poem) has composed an ode describing the illumination and celebration in Khajoo Bridge.”
Khajoo Bridge is not only a bridge over the river, but also a magnificent and mysterious masterpiece. Jean Chardin, a French tourist and author of the Travels of Sir Jean Chardin, mentions Khajoo Bridge in his writings and draws beautiful paintings of this unique historical monument. He described it as the peak of Iranian bridge architecture and one of the most interesting bridges in the world. Persiana Travel and Tourism Agency hopes you enjoy this article.