Istanbul - Türkiye
In a step that reflects Turkey's commitment to protecting its cultural heritage, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Oraloglu opened the historic Gediz Bridge in the state of Izmir, bringing the number of restored bridges in the country to 532 bridges, with work continuing to restore 48 other bridges.

Gediz Bridge...an urban masterpiece coming back to life

Gediz Bridge extends 166.5 meters in length and 6.7 meters in width, consists of five openings, and was constructed with a reinforced concrete bridge system. The bridge has undergone comprehensive strengthening, restoration and lighting works, and it now serves the villages of Yanikköy, Duga and Belen after changing the route of the road, restoring its functional and aesthetic identity.

Huge investments in infrastructure

During the opening ceremony, Oraloglu explained that Izmir's investments in the transportation sector over the past 24 years amounted to about 349 billion Turkish liras, which contributed to doubling the length of dual roads from 431 to 1,000 kilometers, and roads paved with hot mix from 366 to 1,017 kilometers.

He pointed out that the Izmir-Istanbul highway shortened the travel time from 8.5 hours to 3.5 hours, and the high-speed train project between Izmir and Ankara will achieve the same shortening when completed.
Bridges telling the history of Anatolia

The list of revived bridges includes famous architectural masterpieces such as: Singarius, Khidralik, Malabadi, Kyzylin, Tash Koperu, Usmanqqoyun Babasi, and Diyarbakir en Gozlu (Nine-Eyed), forming together a tourist and cultural map parallel to the traditional paths.

A cultural tourist destination for Arab tourists

This project represents a valuable opportunity for Arab tourists interested in heritage and history, as they can explore Turkey from a different angle, by visiting these historical bridges spread in states such as Izmir and Diyarbakir, and enjoying a trip that combines the beauty of Ottoman architecture and stunning natural landscapes.

These bridges - from Malabağı in Diyarbakır to Gediz in Izmir - constitute an alternative tourist map, worth a visit for those looking for Türkiye, which was built by successive civilizations, stone upon stone. It also opens the way for Arab investors to participate in developing cultural tourism in these areas, through hospitality projects and tourism services related to these historical monuments.