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Türkiye's Rize Municipality has uncovered a historic arch bridge that had been covered for decades due to road construction. The bridge, locally known as Cita’s Bridge, dates back to 1826 and had been partially buried in the 1940s and fully covered by the 1960s.
The bridge came to light during a new road project connecting Cumhuriyet Street in central Rize to the Yaglitas neighborhood via the Kale neighborhood. The project aims to improve traffic flow while preserving historical structures. During the construction, workers began reopening the bridge that had long remained hidden beneath elevated road surfaces.
Rize Mayor Rahmi Metin explained that the bridge was always known to local residents, even if it had been obscured from public view. He noted that it appears in photographs of Rize from the 1920s and 1930s, and that roadworks over the decades had elevated the surrounding area without damaging the historic structure.
Mayor Metin outlined ambitious plans to integrate the bridge into a 120-square-meter exhibition space. The design includes glass panels above the bridge, allowing visitors to view it from above while walking safely.
The space will also display other historic artifacts from the area, offering a deeper glimpse into Rize’s past. Vehicles will not pass over the bridge, and gaps on the sides and top will provide a clear line of sight to its stone arches. The project aims to create an immersive experience for locals and tourists alike, blending heritage preservation with urban development.
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