11.07.2026 14:00
The historic stone bridge in Söke district of Aydın, which hosted Kemal Sunal's film 'İnatçı' ('Stubborn'), is at risk of collapse due to accumulated garbage and logs. Citizens attempted to clean the debris on the bridge by setting it on fire after DSI (State Hydraulic Works) failed to conduct cleaning. The president of EKODOSD (Ecosystem Protection and Nature Lovers Association) called for a permanent solution, stating that this situation damages both the historical structure and natural life.
The Büyük Menderes River, one of the lifelines of Aydın's agriculture, hosts many bridges built along its course from its source to where it flows into the sea.
One of these is the historic stone bridge connecting Sarıkemer in the Söke district of Aydın, which once saw camel caravans passing through.
The historic stone bridge, which hosted many scenes from the 1988 movie "İnatçı" starring Kemal Sunal, still faces the danger of collapse.
The Ekosistemi Koruma ve Doğa Severler Derneği (EKODOSD) President Bahattin Sürücü, who has repeatedly called for cleaning the stone bridge whose culverts are clogged due to human-induced garbage, tree logs, and reeds thrown into the Büyük Menderes River, made a new call for a permanent solution.
THEY LITERALLY SET FIRE TO HISTORY Due to unresolved environmental issues at Taşköprü continuing for a long time, local citizens intervened with their own means. President Sürücü stated that tree logs, reed stalks, and various debris dragged from the upper basin of the river accumulate in the arches of the historic bridge, causing both environmental pollution and hindering citizens' use of the bridge. Noting that most of the garbage was swept into the sea during past floods, but heavy tree logs and vegetation remained on the bridge, Sürücü said that when relevant institutions did not take permanent action, citizens set fire to the debris on the bridge. Emphasizing that this intervention by citizens to ensure passage created a soot layer on the stones of the historic Taşköprü and damaged the registered cultural asset, Sürücü stressed that the fire adversely not only the historic structure but also birds, water turtles, water snakes, and other living creatures in the region.
BOTH THE HISTORIC BRIDGE AND THE ENVIRONMENT WERE DAMAGED Drawing attention to the ongoing problem, Sürücü said: "However, lighting a fire harms not only the historic bridge but also the natural life around it. During the burning of accumulated vegetation on the shore, birds, water snakes, water turtles, and many other creatures living in the reed stalks are also harmed. Today, the arches of Taşköprü are blocked again. Debris coming from the upper basin will start accumulating behind the bridge again, and when the water level drops, this debris will solidify almost like concrete. With water circulation cut off on both sides of the bridge, fish passages will be blocked, and in oxygen-depleted stagnant waters, fish, water turtles, and water snakes will die again as in previous years, and the fragile ecosystem here will suffer great damage. The most effective solution is to collect solid waste controllably with floating barrier systems installed before it reaches the bridge, pull it ashore, and dispose of it. However, these systems, one of DSI's important projects, still await repair on the shore after three years. In fact, this problem, which would not be difficult to solve, remains unresolved for years, forcing citizens to produce solutions with their own methods. However, resorting to fire as a solution harms both the historic Taşköprü and the living beings in the region.
"ITS HISTORIC IDENTITY MUST BE PROTECTED" Taşköprü is an important cultural asset registered by the Cultural Heritage Preservation Regional Board. It is one of our common heritages that we must carry from the past to the future. Therefore, absolutely no fire should be lit on Taşköprü. Additionally, the environmental problems that have brought citizens to this point must be permanently resolved by the relevant institutions. We demand that necessary and permanent measures be taken by the relevant institutions without delay to protect the historic identity of Taşköprü, prevent damage to the Büyük Menderes River ecosystem, and allow citizens to use the bridge safely," he said.