Yibna Bridge

The Yibna Bridge (Hebrew: גשר יבנה, Arabic: جسر يبنا) or Nahr Rubin Bridge is a Mamluk arch bridge near Yibna, which crosses the Nahal Sorek (formerly known as Nahr Rubin, or Wadi al-Tahuna). It was previously used by Route 410 to Rehovot, and was known as the Jumping Bridge (הגשר הקופץ) due to a bump in the middle of the bridge which caused cars to jump if speeding.^[1] It is now a part of a recreation ground, next to a new bridge carrying the Route 410.

Yibna Bridge גשר יבנה جسر يبنا
Coordinates	31°54′N 34°48′E
Crosses	Nahal Sorek
Locale	Yibna, Israel
Characteristics
Design	Arch
Total length	48 metres
Width	11.5 metres
History
Opened	1273–1274 CE
Location
Interactive map of Yibna Bridge

History

The downstream-facing side of the bridge in 2010

The bridge was one in a series of bridges built by Sultan Baybars in Egypt and Palestine. It was first studied in modern times by Clermont-Ganneau, who noted that an Arabic chronicle had referred to the construction by Baybars in 672 AH of two bridges build of a significant nature "in the neighbourhood of Ramleh". The chief purpose of these bridges was to ease communication for his armies between Egypt and northern Syria.^[2] The second of these two bridges is thought to be the Jisr Jindas.^[2]

According to Clermont-Ganneau, the bridge was built in 671–672 AH (1273–1274).^[3] The Archaeology of Society in the Holy Land cites the completion date as 1273.^[4]

Max van Berchem, who examined it in the late 19th century, found that the bridge contained large amount of reused Crusader masonry, some of which carried mason's marks.^[5]

Description

The bridge is 48 metres (157 ft) long, and 11.5 metres (38 ft) wide.^[6] It comprises three arches, two central piers with triangular upstream-facing cutwaters and downstream-facing buttresses with sloping cills.^[7]

It is very similar in design to the more well-known Jisr Jindas, apart from the width of the piers.^[7] The bridge has a more than 2:1 arch-span to pier-width ratio versus approximately 1:1 at Jisr Jindas.^[7]

The bridge does not contain any decoration or inscriptions, similar to that found on Jisr Jindas. However, according to Andrew Petersen there is "a possible inscription or signature" on a stone at the south end.^[7]

See also

• Barid, Muslim postal network renewed during Mamluk period (roads, bridges, khans)
  • Jisr al-Ghajar, stone bridge south of Ghajar
  • Daughters of Jacob Bridge (Jisr Banat Yaqub), Mamluk bridge on the upper Jordan River
  • Al-Sinnabra Crusader bridge, with nearby Jisr Umm el-Qanatir/Jisr Semakh and Jisr es-Sidd further downstream
  • Jisr el-Majami bridge over the Jordan, with Mamluk khan
  • Jisr Jindas bridge over the Ayalon near Lydda and Ramla
  • Isdud Bridge (Mamluk, 13th century) outside Ashdod/Isdud
  • Jisr ed-Damiye, bridges over the Jordan (Roman, Mamluk, modern)