Si-o-se Pol Road

Address: Si-o-se Pol (Allahverdi Khan Bridge), along the Zayandeh River, Isfahan, Iran

Admission: Free (public bridge)

Si-o-se Pol, literally “Bridge of 33 Arches,” is a Safavid-era bridge in Isfahan, Iran, spanning the Zayandeh River and renowned for its rhythmic series of arches. It is one of Isfahan’s most famous bridges and a regular focal point for both local life and visitors.

The structure’s long arcade of 33 arches and broad pedestrian walkway provide opportunities for walking along the river and for photography of the repeated architectural sequence. The bridge functions as both a traffic crossing and a social space, with strong visual presence when water is in the river below.

Construction dates to the early 17th century during the Safavid period under the rule of Shah Abbas I, and the bridge has been maintained and restored at various times since then. Its combination of utility and ornamentation exemplifies Safavid urban planning and river management in Isfahan.

Si-o-se Pol sits in central Isfahan, crossing the historic Zayandeh River within the city’s older urban fabric and near major avenues and gardens of the city centre.

• Structure and scale: Composed of 33 arches and measuring roughly 295 to 300 metres in length, it is a prominent example of Safavid civil engineering in Isfahan.
• Viewing and river conditions: Flows on the Zayandeh River are seasonal and subject to variation; the bridge is visually striking at dusk and during periods when the river is flowing.

Si-o-se Pol is in central Isfahan along Chahar Bagh Boulevard and is within easy walking distance from Naqsh-e Jahan Square (about 15-20 minutes on foot). Local taxis and buses serve central Isfahan.

• Visit at dusk when lamps are lit and local families take evening promenades-photography is rewarding then.
• Cross at one end and walk the length to see each of the 33 arches; many people linger on the central arches where light and shadow are most dramatic.
• Be mindful of local festivals and weekends when the bridge fills with street vendors and crowds.