Eğri Aqueduct
Eğri Kemer (Turkish “Crooked Aqueduct”) is an Ottoman aqueduct bridge on the east branch of Kırkçeşme Water Supply System completed in 1563. Also known as Kovukkemer, it is one of several aqueduct bridges made by Mimar Sinan.
Its length is 408 meters and its height is 35 meters. It has three tiers of arches with a total 47 arches. It is unique in having a 90° turn. It also has passages on each of the three tiers passing from one side of the aqueduct to the other.
It suffered extensive damage from a flood in 1563, after which it was restored. Inspection of its lowest tier revealed substantial components of an earlier Roman or Byzantine aqueduct bridge, while there might also be Middle Byzantine remains in the second tier.
Drawing by Luigi Mayer (1810)
Sources
The Longest Roman Water Supply Line by Kâzım Çeçen
Sinan’s Water Supply System in Istanbul by Kâzım Çeçen
“The Water Supply of Constantinople 2001-2002” by Richard Bayliss and James Crow
Resources
Aqueducts and Water Supply System of Constantinople Photo Album (Byzantine Legacy Flickr)
Kırkçeşme Water Supply System Photo Album (Byzantine Legacy Flickr)