• from Petersen (2020:199-201)

9. Msaylḥa Bridge (34°16′25″ n 35°41′18″ e) (Figs 13.15–16)

This is the only bridge under discussion here that is not directly on the coast, but it has been included both because it is an interesting structure and because at this point the medieval coastal road was forced to take an inland route.

The bridge is located in a narrow pass next to the fort of Msaylḥa. The site has received the attention of travellers from at least the seventeenth century.⁸⁸ However, the bridge at first sight seems unimpressive and was only noted in passing by travellers such as Richard Pococke⁸⁹ and George Robinson.⁹⁰

The bridge is a single arched structure which crosses the Nahr al-Jawz at a point directly overlooked by the fort of Msaylḥa. The upper part of the bridge appears relatively recent (probably Ottoman); however, the lower parts of the bridge indicate several phases of construction and destruction. The most striking feature is the remains of a vault made of large limestone blocks set at a different alignment to that of the present bridge. The remains of the earlier vault are visible on both the left and right bank of the river and suggest a catastrophic collapse. The bridge appears to have been later rebuilt with a narrower arch but retaining the use of large limestone blocks.

Dating and Discussion

The Roman road from Beirut to Tripoli originally followed the coastline around the headland known as Raʾs al-Shaqʿa (Byzantine Theouprosopon). However, theAD 551 earthquake which also destroyed Roman Beirut also destroyed the coastal road around the headland sending it crashing into the sea.⁹¹ As a result the late Byzantine and medieval route between Beirut and Tripoli was forced to head inland at a point north of Batrūn and through the narrow pass of Msaylḥa. It is clear that the fort was built to control this narrow pass and, in particular, the bridge which is the only historical connection between the coastal road to the south and Tripoli in the north. The date of the fort has recently been questioned, and it is now thought to have been built sometime between the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century, probably in 1624. In any case the structural history of the bridge indicates an early, probably Roman, origin.

The collapse of the early vault may be connected with the earthquake of AD 551 in which case the rebuilding may date to the medieval period when a secure route was needed to travel north and south along the coast.

• from Petersen (2020)

Maps and Photos

Discussion

Petersen (2020:200-201) reports the following regarding the Msaylḥa Bridge:

The Roman road from Beirut to Tripoli originally followed the coastline around the headland known as Raʾs al-Shaqʿa (Byzantine Theouprosopon). However, the ad 551 earthquake which also destroyed Roman Beirut also destroyed the coastal road around the headland sending it crashing into the sea. ⁹¹ As a result the late Byzantine and medieval route between Beirut and Tripoli was forced to head inland at a point north of Batrūn and through the narrow pass of Msaylḥa. It is clear that the fort was built to control this narrow pass and, in particular, the bridge which is the only historical connection between the coastal road to the south and Tripoli in the north. The date of the fort has recently been questioned, and it is now thought to have been built sometime between the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century, probably in 1624. In any case the structural history of the bridge indicates an early, probably Roman, origin The collapse of the early vault may be connected with the earthquake of ad 551 in which case the rebuilding may date to the medieval period when a secure route was needed to travel north and south along the coast.

Petersen (2020:200) showed evidence for an earlier arch on the bridge (Fig. 13.16 - above and here - ).

Petersen, A. Roman, Medieval or Ottoman: Historic Bridges of the Lebanon Coast in Edbury, P. W., et al. (2020). Bridge of Civilizations: The Near East and Europe C. 1100-1300, Archaeopress Publishing Limited.

Sbeinati, M. R., R. Darawcheh, and M. Monty (2005). "The historical earthquakes of Syria: An analysis of large and moderate earthquakes from1365 B.C. to 1900 A.D., ." Ann. Geophys. 48(3): 347-435.