Varda Bridge

      Varda Bridge - Karaisalı - 8 September 2018

    The Varda Bridge is a railway viaduct built in modern-day Karaisalı district of Adana Province between 1905 and 1916. It was a part of gigantic enterprise aiming at establishing a railway connection between Berlin and Baghdad, then in the Ottoman Empire. The connection would enable direct import of oil necessary for the German industry. 

    We visited the place in September.  The day was very sunny, as usually, but the heat in this mountainous area was at an acceptable level. We stayed there a bit longer in a hope a train would come, and James Bond would jump on it like in the movie, but it didn't happen. Maybe next time ;) 

Height: 98 m, length: 172 m *

Designed by Imperial German
engineers *

Rock-cut tunnel *

Tunnel window *

Viaduct is still in use *

Interesting canyon in background *

There and back *

 

    German Cemetery - Çamalan - 2 May 2022

    Many German citizens lost their lives while constructing the Berlin-Baghdad railway. Their graves are scattered alongside the track. 

Overview *

Close to road yet peaceful *

Inscribed plaque *

'Here rest German citizens who lost their lives
during the construction of the Bagdad railway.'

Memorial *

They never returned home *

16 more names *