The Justinianus Bridge in Adana, Turkey, remains open for foot traffic. It can be an enriching experience during the early-morning hours. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)
Just a short cab ride from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, a centuries-old Roman bridge offers visitors the chance to walk in the footsteps of past civilizations — and soak in great views at the same time.
I visited the stone bridge at dawn as part of a quick trip to downtown Adana prior to catching a flight. My journey allowed me to see many of the city’s sights in a short time.
The Justinianus Bridge, also called the Taskopru, or stone bridge, was built by the Romans in Adana, Turkey, around the year 380. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)
The bridge was illuminated from underneath by colorful lights. I waited to walk across until the sun had risen above the ancient city of nearly 2 million people.
Dating back to a Hittite settlement founded in approximately 1400 B.C., Adana has become a testament to the march of time.
The Romans are said to have built the stone bridge across the Seyhan River almost 2,000 years ago. The Umayyads, the Ottomans and contemporary Turks have walked across it in the millennia since.
And now, as a modern tourist, it was my turn to walk across the 1,056-foot-long span. I lingered in the center. The bridge is open to foot traffic, and it seems many people used it for the most prosaic of reasons: to get to work.
I watched as people sped by on their bikes and pushed their bread carts across. It was cool to see that the bridge is not some historical curio but a functioning part of a modern city.
The Justinianus Bridge in Adana offers a view of the Sabanci Merkez Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in Turkey and can host thousands of worshippers. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)
My perch afforded me a vantage point of the Sabanci Central Mosque in the distance, its six minarets soaring toward the heavens. Located about a half-mile from the bridge, the mosque is the second-largest in Turkey.
With its 177-foot-high main dome and a capacity to host more than 28,000 worshippers, the mosque dominates the skyline as seen from the bridge.
I went there after traversing the bridge and walked around. Visitors are welcome at the mosque as long as they are dressed modestly. This means men should cover their shoulders and legs, and women should do the same but also cover their heads.
The center of Adana, Turkey, is about 15 minutes away via taxi from Incirlik Air Base. The city of about 2 million people has many coffee shops and kebab restaurants. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)
A short walk from the mosque is Adana’s archaeological museum, whose diverse collection offers yet another glimpse of bygone lives. Although it is temporarily closed, images of some items displayed there can be seen on its website.
Among its treasures are gold and silver jewelry, Roman-era sarcophagi and a crystal depiction of the Hittite god Tarhunda.
Merkez Park, an 82-acre expanse of public greenery surrounding the mosque, was the area I enjoyed the most for its serenity. I watched as families enjoyed the morning and a breeze drifted through rows of citrus trees.
Adana, Turkey, has an artificial lake where tourists relax and picnic each summer. The areas around the waters of Adana have shops to rent boats, as well as restaurants. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes)
Then a car zoomed by, and I was reminded that the serenity coexists with a lot of crazy drivers. If I’d had more time, I would have ordered a meal at one of the many kebab or coffee shops in town.
In just a few hours, though, I managed to fit in an invigorating morning walk and a sampling of Adana’s enticing blend of antiquity and modernity.
On the QT
Location of mosque: Near the intersection of Fuzuli Caddesi and Turhan Cemal Beriker Bulvar in Adana, Turkey
Hours: The mosque and bridge are open to visitors every day of the week. Prayer times at the mosque vary, but generally first call is before dawn and last call is after sunset.
Cost: Free
