Ortacalar: Çifte Köprüler and Merkez Camii

When planning a stay in Ortacalar, it is helpful to distinguish three topics: Ortacalar Çifte Köprüler, located in the center; the construction history of Ortacalar Merkez Camii; and Mençuna Waterfall near the bridges. The first two focus on historic architectural forms in the town; visiting the waterfall involves a drive followed by an uphill walk. This lets you treat architecture and nature as separate activities and plan the time needed accordingly.

Ortacalar Çifte Köprüler

Ortacalar Çifte Köprüler consists of two stone bridges built at right angles to each other. Each has a single arch and a sloping roadway. If you look at the construction, you can distinguish several features: the stone construction, the single arch, and the sloping roadway, as well as the right-angle alignment of the two bridges. This makes both their arrangement and the structure of each bridge visible. Both structures are in the center of Ortacalar and remain intact to this day. They are believed to be at least 250 years old; their exact construction date is unknown. The minimum age is therefore a historical attribution, not a precise calendar date.

Construction history of Ortacalar Merkez Camii

Ortacalar Merkez Camii adds a construction history with three clearly distinct dates. It was built in 1757. Its wooden ceiling and wooden minbar were made in 1908; the minaret was added in 1955. The years therefore refer to different stages: 1757 marks the construction of the mosque, 1908 the creation of two wooden elements, and 1955 the addition of the minaret. A minbar is a mosque pulpit. The carvings and ornamentation on the minbar and ceiling are noteworthy. This makes it possible to understand the mosque both through its chronological development and through specific details of its design.

For a historical comparison, the dates vary in precision: the construction year and two later dates are given for Merkez Camii; the bridges are believed to be at least 250 years old, but their exact construction date is unknown. This distinguishes specific construction phases from an approximate age.

Mençuna Waterfall: drive and climb

Mençuna Waterfall is near Ortacalar Çifte Köprüler; its drop is 82 meters. Visiting the waterfall involves an approximately 20-minute drive followed by a walk across a suspension bridge. After that, it is a further approximately 20-minute uphill walk. These times are approximate and may vary depending on conditions. For your planning, you should therefore account for the drive, suspension bridge, and climb as separate parts. This means you should not estimate the time needed based on the drive alone: the walk also crosses the bridge and continues uphill.

In Arhavi, the nature hike to Mençuna Waterfall is considered a traditional event. On its 14th edition, visitors went not only to the waterfall but also to Ortacalar Çifte Köprüler and Kamilet Valley. At this event, the natural destination and historic bridges are part of the same itinerary; the drive and walking segments mentioned above, on the other hand, can help you plan your own time.

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Go to the main travel overview: Artvin.