Yunesi Bridge

The historic Yunesi Bridge is a valuable example of Safavid-era architecture, located in the town of Yunesi in Bajestan County, Razavi Khorasan Province. The bridge stands about 200 metres from the town of Yunesi, spanning the bed of the seasonal Kal-e Shur River, and is part of the historical heritage of the region's old roads and caravanserai routes. In the past, Yunesi Bridge lay on a road known as the "Iraq Road" and was one of the structures that allowed caravans and travellers to pass along the routes linking southern and central Iran with Mashhad. The monument was registered on Iran's National Heritage List on 12 Bahman 1381 (Solar Hijri) under registration number 7496.

Yunesi Bridge has 9 spans of varying sizes and was built with local materials such as brick, stone and gypsum plaster. One of the most notable features of the structure is its triangular piers, which face against the flow of the water to increase the bridge's resistance to water pressure and seasonal floods. Besides its technical aspects, the architecture of the bridge also displays elements of Iranian architectural art of the Safavid period, including brick decoration, calligraphic inscriptions, raised floral motifs and arabesque designs, which add to its visual and historical value. Near the bridge you can also see the remains of an old water reservoir (ab-anbar) with a domed roof, built of brick and sarooj (a traditional waterproof mortar), which was probably constructed together with the bridge to meet the needs of travellers and passing caravans. The bridge has been restored and repaired in recent years, and today it is one of the historical attractions of Bajestan County and an opportunity to learn about how bridges and transport infrastructure were built in ancient Iran.

To visit Yunesi Bridge, take the roads leading to Bajestan County in Razavi Khorasan Province towards the town of Yunesi; once you reach the town, a short distance of about 200 metres brings you to the bridge. Since the site lies in a region with a hot, dry climate, spring and autumn, especially the mild days of these two seasons, are the better times to visit and explore the surroundings. During your visit, besides admiring the architecture of the bridge, you can also look at the remains of the water reservoir and the view of the Kal-e Shur riverbed. To protect this historic monument, please avoid writing graffiti on the bridge, moving old building materials, damaging the decorations and leaving litter in the area, so that this architectural heritage remains for future generations.