Zayanderud is the symbol of Isfahan city. You will see an elegant bridge on this river that dates back to the Safavid era. This bridge was built under the command of Shah Abbas by Allahverdi Khan. Si-o-se-pol is also known as Allahverdi Khan Bridge and Chehel-Chechmeh (forty-arch) Bridge. Some people believed that due to the 33 letters of the Georgian language, this bridge was named as Si-o-se-pol. Later this theory was rejected because they found this bridge had 40 arches. During the time, 40 arches destroyed, and only 33 arches remained.

• Architecture

Si-o-se-pol bridge was made of stone, brick, Sarooj and, plaster. Sarooj is the mortar that need to be in the water because moisture strengthens this combination. So it the mystery about the stability of Si-o-se-pol after many years. It may be interesting that know about the structure of urban planning of Isfahan during Safavid era. At those time the plan of this city was Chaharbagh, it means four-zone has created by two main axes that were perpendicular to each other.

• Celebrations

  Si-o-se-pol Bridge was considered as a place for holding some ceremony in the Safavid era as follows:
  
  
  • Nowruz: In the Safavid era, the Nowruz celebration lasted for seven days, and Si-o-se-pol Bridge has illuminated.
    
    
  • Epiphany: It is a Christian ceremony that held on the occasion of the baptism of Christ. It has set up by the Armenians on January 13th alongside the Si-o-se-pol Bridge.
    
    
  • Watering celebration: It was a crowd gathered to splashed water and rose water over them. This ceremony was held on July 4th every year.

• What is the best time to go?

Isfahan is a city with a dry and hot climate. You will experience a hot summer and a cold winter in this historical city. So, if you want to see this marvelous bridge, suggest you travel to Isfahan in the Nowruz. During this period, Zayanderud is full of water, and you can see a beautiful reflection of the bridge in the water. Remember, don’t lose watching the bridge at night, the illumination of it will amaze you. 

• Getting there?
  

  You can reach Si-o-se-pol Bridge via public transport as follows:
  
  
  • Subway: You can get on the subway train in Imam Hussein subway station and get off at the Enghelab Subway station.
    
    
  • Bus: You can use the buses at the Imam Hussein Station to the Enghelab Station to reach the Si-o-se-pol Bridge.