Ezhiyeh Historical Bridge

The Ezhiyeh Historical Bridge is one of the valuable historic structures in the east of Isfahan Province. It spans the Zayandeh Rud in the town of Ezhiyeh, in Harand County, about 70 kilometers east of the city of Isfahan. The bridge lies on the road linking Ezhiyeh to Varzaneh, close to the Kuhpayeh road, and is considered one of the most important historic monuments of the Rudasht region. Opinions differ on exactly when it was built, but many researchers date the current structure to the Safavid period, while some attribute its original foundations to earlier eras. Standing on the eastern bank of the Zayandeh Rud and close to the desert areas, the bridge offers visitors a unique view of the meeting of river and desert.

This historic bridge is 57 meters long, 3.8 meters wide and about 6.3 meters high, with 12 spans and 13 piers. It is built of brick, stone and sarooj mortar. The cutwaters on both sides of the piers show that the builders took care to manage the force of the water current and to strengthen the structure. On the southwest side of the bridge, a retaining wall was also built to divert part of the Zayandeh Rud's flow, which is a notable feature of its architecture. In the past, the Ezhiyeh Bridge was the main crossing for people, caravans and local transport, and played an important role in connecting the villages of eastern Isfahan with one another. The monument was restored in 1349 (Solar Hijri) through the efforts of Haj Mulla Mohammad Khorasgani and the participation of local people, and further restoration work has been carried out in later years to preserve it.

The Ezhiyeh Historical Bridge can be reached by taking the Isfahan–Varzaneh road and entering the town of Ezhiyeh, and visitors can easily see this historic monument. The best time to visit is spring and autumn, when the weather in the region is more pleasant and the landscape around the Zayandeh Rud looks its best. When visiting the bridge and the riverbank, practicing responsible nature tourism, avoiding any damage to the historic structure and keeping the surroundings clean will play an important part in preserving this valuable heritage for future generations.