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Historic Stonework, Migrant Heritage & Rural Yalova Between Coast and Hills

Taşköprü, Çiftlikköy, Yalova – Complete Visitor Guide

Discover the historic three-arched stone bridge that gave Taşköprü its name,
together with the story of the modern town and eastern Yalova's changing landscape.

Explore Taşköprü

Taşköprü – A Small Historic Bridge with a Big Local Identity

In the Çiftlikköy district of Yalova Province, the settlement of Taşköprü takes its name from a historic stone bridge standing in the Köyaltı area. The monument is modest in scale, but it is one of those places where a single structure explains the identity of an entire community.

According to Türkiye's official Culture Portal, the bridge is built of stone and has three arches: a large pointed arch in the centre and a smaller rounded arch on each side. Its exact construction date is not recorded in the official cultural inventory. Taşköprü Municipality preserves a local tradition that regards it as roughly 400 years old, so the most accurate way to describe the bridge is as a historic structure of uncertain date rather than assigning it a definite century.

The modern settlement has a separate and much better documented story. Municipal history records that Taşköprü was founded in 1902 by 15 related households arriving from Aydos in Bulgaria. The community later expanded, developed from an agricultural village into a municipality and today sits in a landscape shaped by farming, industry, the Yalova–Kocaeli transport corridor and the foothills behind the Marmara coast.

For travellers, Taşköprü works best as a short heritage stop rather than a full archaeological destination. Come for the bridge, take time to understand the settlement that grew around its name, and combine the visit with other attractions in Çiftlikköy, Yalova or eastern Yalova.

Historic Stone Bridge

A protected three-arched bridge with a large pointed central arch and two smaller rounded side arches.

Local Landmark

The bridge gave Taşköprü its name and remains the settlement's most distinctive historic monument.

Migrant Heritage

Municipal history traces the modern settlement to families who arrived from Aydos, Bulgaria, in 1902.

Rural & Industrial Yalova

Taşköprü reflects the transition from farming village to a community closely connected with modern industry and transport.

Know Before You Go

Taşköprü, Çiftlikköy – Quick Facts

Essential information for visiting the historic stone bridge and understanding the settlement that carries its name.

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Location

Taşköprü, in Çiftlikköy district, eastern Yalova Province, along the Yalova–Kocaeli corridor.

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Main Landmark

A historic three-arched stone bridge in the Köyaltı area of Taşköprü.

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Heritage Status

The bridge was registered as a protected monumental structure by the Istanbul II Regional Conservation Board in 1993.

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Architecture

One large pointed central arch is flanked by two smaller rounded arches.

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Exact Date

Unknown. Local municipal tradition describes the bridge as roughly 400 years old, but the official cultural inventory gives no construction date.

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Modern Settlement

Municipal history dates the foundation of the modern village to 1902.

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Visit Time

Allow roughly 20–45 minutes for the bridge, or longer if you also explore the settlement and nearby Yalova attractions.

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Best Access

A private vehicle is the easiest way to combine Taşköprü with other stops in Çiftlikköy and eastern Yalova.

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Best For

Local history, stone architecture, cultural landscapes, road-trip stops and heritage photography.

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Visitor Note

The bridge is an old working structure rather than a developed museum site, so approach carefully and respect current local conditions.

A Local Monument That Explains the Name of a Town

Why Visit Taşköprü?

Taşköprü is a rewarding detour for travellers who enjoy discovering the smaller heritage places that sit between Yalova's better-known attractions.

The attraction of Taşköprü is not monumental scale. It is the direct relationship between place-name, architecture and local memory. The historic bridge is not simply an object beside the settlement: it is the landmark from which the settlement itself took its name.

The bridge also illustrates a type of historic infrastructure that is easy to overlook. Before modern highways, small bridges over local streams were essential elements of rural movement, connecting fields, settlements and regional roads. The survival of a stone bridge in its original local setting makes it valuable even without elaborate decoration or a famous builder.

The modern town adds another historical layer. Its documented foundation by migrant families from Aydos in Bulgaria in 1902 places Taşköprü within the broader story of population movement into north-western Anatolia during the late Ottoman period. That community history is much more recent than the bridge, but together the two stories create the identity visitors encounter today.

Taşköprü is therefore best treated as a cultural landscape stop: a historic bridge, a settlement with migration history, fertile alluvial land, and a modern economy shaped by agriculture, industry and transport.

Between Yalova and the Eastern Marmara Corridor

Where Is Taşköprü?

Taşköprü lies in Çiftlikköy district in the eastern part of Yalova Province. Municipal sources describe the settlement as standing on the lower slopes of Davuldöven and on relatively level, alluvial ground.

The wider area forms part of the busy Yalova–Kocaeli corridor, while the Marmara coast lies immediately to the north of the district. This gives Taşköprü an interesting character: its historic identity grew from a small rural bridge and agricultural settlement, yet today it is closely connected with roads, industrial areas and the rapidly developing eastern side of Yalova.

The municipality identifies Kılıç Stream as the settlement's principal watercourse. The historic bridge stands over a local stream in the northern part of the settlement, in the area known as Köyaltı.

Province Yalova
District Çiftlikköy
Settlement Taşköprü
Historic Bridge Area Köyaltı
Landscape Alluvial plain, low foothills, agricultural land and modern industrial corridor
The Monument That Gave the Settlement Its Name

The Historic Taşköprü Stone Bridge

The most important heritage feature in Taşköprü is the stone bridge itself. Türkiye's Culture Portal records it as a historic monument in Taşköprü, Çiftlikköy, and places it in the Köyaltı area.

Architecturally, the bridge is distinguished by a large pointed central arch with two smaller rounded arches, one on either side. The structure is built of stone, creating a simple but visually strong composition that is especially attractive from the side, where all three arches can be read together.

The official inventory also notes that the bridge has suffered damage. That matters for visitors: this is not a polished, museum-style restoration. Its appeal lies partly in the survival of an old utilitarian structure within the everyday landscape of Taşköprü.

Material

Stone masonry.

Arch Count

Three arches in total.

Central Arch

A larger pointed arch forms the main opening.

Side Arches

Two smaller rounded arches flank the central opening.

Historic Function

A practical crossing over a local watercourse.

Today

A protected historic bridge and the defining heritage landmark of Taşköprü.

Local Tradition Is Stronger Than the Surviving Documentation

How Old Is Taşköprü Bridge?

The most important fact to understand is that the exact construction date is not known. The official Culture Portal inventory does not provide a builder, construction date, inscription or cultural period for the monument.

Taşköprü Municipality states that local tradition regards the bridge as approximately 400 years old. That tradition is valuable because it records how the community understands its landmark, but it should not be converted into a precise construction year without stronger documentary or archaeological evidence.

For this reason, descriptions such as historic stone bridge or traditionally believed to be around four centuries old are more responsible than assigning the bridge confidently to a particular Ottoman sultan, architect or exact year.

Official Construction Date Not recorded
Builder Not recorded
Inscription No inscription is listed in the official cultural inventory
Local Tradition Approximately 400 years old
A Registered Monument in Yalova's Cultural Inventory

Protection Status of the Bridge

The historic bridge is not simply an old local structure. It is included in Türkiye's official cultural inventory and was registered as a protected monumental property by the Istanbul II Regional Conservation Board.

The Culture Portal records the registration decision as 2 March 1993, decision no. 3026. This confirms the bridge's recognised heritage value even though many details of its early history remain uncertain.

Protection does not mean that every part of the site has been fully restored or adapted for tourism. Visitors should therefore treat the bridge as a vulnerable historic structure: do not climb on unstable masonry, remove stones, enter unsafe areas or disturb the stream banks simply to obtain a photograph.

A 20th-Century Community with Roots in Balkan Migration

The Foundation of Modern Taşköprü

The history of the modern settlement is much clearer than the date of the bridge. According to Taşköprü Municipality, the village was founded in 1902 by a related group of 15 households from Aydos in Bulgaria.

The municipal account says the first settlers initially lived near the area later associated with the airfield, but moved because of mosquitoes and malaria. They chose the present area because it was wooded and offered land suitable for livestock.

Taşköprü later grew as additional families arrived from surrounding areas. Administratively, the settlement was first connected with Karamürsel in Kocaeli and later became part of Yalova. Municipal history records that it was converted into a belde municipality following a 1991 Interior Ministry decision, with local municipal administration beginning after elections on 7 June 1992.

1902

Municipal history dates the foundation of the modern village to migrant families arriving from Aydos, Bulgaria.

15 Households

The founding group is described as an extended community of 15 related households.

Relocation

The first settlement area was abandoned in favour of the present location because of unhealthy marshy conditions.

1992

Taşköprü began functioning as a municipality following local elections.

One Small Settlement within a Much Larger Ottoman-Era Migration Story

Aydos, Bulgaria & Taşköprü's Migrant Heritage

The reference to Aydos in the municipal history gives Taşköprü an important cultural dimension. Aydos is today in Bulgaria, and the movement of Muslim communities from the Balkans into Anatolia formed a major part of the demographic history of the late Ottoman and early modern periods.

Taşköprü's local account is especially useful because it remembers the founding community not simply as anonymous migrants, but as a 15-household kin group. That kind of family-based migration often shaped the social structure of new settlements, where relatives could rebuild community life, agricultural practices and mutual support networks together.

Visitors should remember that this history belongs to the modern town, not necessarily to the bridge itself. The bridge predates the documented 1902 settlement tradition, which means Taşköprü combines an older landscape monument with a newer community identity.

Local Memory from the Turkish War of Independence

Taşköprü During the War Years

Taşköprü Municipality's historical account also preserves local memories from the Turkish War of Independence. It describes insecurity in the surrounding countryside and records that some families temporarily moved toward villages in the Karamürsel area.

The same source states that a number of adult men served under Demir Hulusi and identifies Selim Ağa of Taşköprü as a locally remembered figure whose service was officially recognised with a medal.

These details belong primarily to local historical memory rather than to the bridge monument itself, but they help explain why Taşköprü's identity is tied not only to architecture but also to the experiences of families who established and defended the settlement in the early decades of the 20th century.

Alluvial Ground at the Foot of Davuldöven

The Landscape Around Taşköprü

Taşköprü Municipality describes the settlement as lying at the foot of Davuldöven on predominantly level ground. The landscape is influenced by stream deposits, which created fertile alluvial soils.

The municipality identifies Kılıç Stream as the settlement's principal watercourse. The relationship between water and the landscape is important when interpreting the old bridge: small crossings mattered because streams divided cultivated land, roads and local movement routes.

Today, the landscape is far more developed than the rural setting in which the historic bridge originally functioned. Agriculture remains visible, but roads, industrial facilities and expanding settlement patterns have created a strong contrast between old rural infrastructure and modern economic geography.

From Field Agriculture to Orchards & Market Gardening

Agriculture in Taşköprü

Municipal sources describe a major shift in the local economy during the 1960s, when Taşköprü increasingly moved from general field agriculture toward vegetable production and commercial horticulture.

Fruit growing developed alongside vegetable cultivation. Municipal material lists crops such as apples, pears, quinces, walnuts, cherries, peaches and kiwifruit, together with seasonal vegetables. Livestock also formed part of the traditional local economy.

For visitors, this agricultural background helps explain the settlement's setting. Taşköprü is not a preserved museum village: it is a working community whose landscape has continually adapted to farming, transport and employment opportunities.

A Rural Settlement Transformed by the Industrial Growth of Eastern Yalova

Industry & Modern Taşköprü

The character of Taşköprü changed significantly from the 1970s as major industrial investment developed in and around the settlement. Municipal sources particularly connect this transformation with the establishment of acrylic, chemical and textile-related industries.

Industrial growth increased employment, encouraged new residents to settle in the area and expanded local commercial activity. The Taşköprü area also became associated with organised industrial sites, making it one of the clearest examples in Yalova of a settlement where agricultural heritage and modern industry exist side by side.

This modern context is important for travellers. Do not expect a remote historic village. Taşköprü sits inside a living economic corridor, and the stone bridge survives as a small but meaningful fragment of an older landscape within that setting.

Focus on the Bridge, Then Read the Wider Landscape

What to See in Taşköprü

Historic Stone Bridge

The essential stop: view the three-arched masonry structure that gave Taşköprü its name.

Köyaltı Setting

Look beyond the bridge itself and notice its relationship with the stream, vegetation and surrounding settlement.

Taşköprü Town

Drive or walk through the settlement to understand how a migrant-founded agricultural community developed into a modern municipality.

Alluvial Landscape

The flat ground and stream system help explain the area's agricultural use and the practical need for historic crossings.

Modern Industrial Landscape

The eastern side of Yalova provides a striking contrast between local heritage and contemporary economic development.

Wider Yalova

Continue to Yalova's museums, Atatürk heritage, forests, thermal landscapes and Marmara coast.
A Small Monument Rewards Slow Observation

How to Look at Taşköprü Bridge

Because the bridge is relatively simple, it is easy to glance at it, take one photograph and leave. A better visit is to spend a few minutes reading the structure.

Read the Three Arches

Start from a side view where you can clearly compare the large pointed centre arch with the two smaller rounded openings.

Study the Masonry

Look at the stone construction and repairs as evidence of a working structure that has survived changing uses and conditions.

Notice the Stream

The bridge only makes sense in relation to the watercourse and the movement route it once carried across it.

Look for Scale

Include surrounding vegetation or a person at a safe distance to show how compact the bridge really is.

Respect Its Condition

Historic masonry can be fragile. Do not climb simply to create a photograph.

Photograph the Context

A wider image often tells more of the story than a tight detail because it shows the bridge as part of the living settlement.

Easy to Visit Year-Round

Best Time to Visit Taşköprü

Spring

Fresh vegetation and mild temperatures make spring one of the most pleasant seasons for photography and short walks.

Summer

Long daylight is convenient, but visit earlier or later in the day for softer light and more comfortable temperatures.

Autumn

A good season for warm colours, softer light and combining Taşköprü with a wider Yalova road trip.

Winter

The bridge remains accessible as a heritage stop, although wet ground and stream conditions may make close approaches less comfortable.

For photography, morning or late afternoon is usually more attractive than harsh midday light. After rain, be especially careful around muddy banks, vegetation and slippery stone.

A Short Stop That Fits Easily into a Yalova Day

How Much Time Do You Need in Taşköprü?

15–20 Minutes

Enough for a quick look at the historic bridge and several photographs.

30–45 Minutes

A better visit, allowing time to observe the arches, stream setting and immediate surroundings without rushing.

1–2 Hours

Suitable if you also want to explore the settlement, stop for refreshments and understand its modern history.

Half Day

Combine Taşköprü with Çiftlikköy, Yürüyen Köşk, Yalova city or another nearby heritage stop.

Stone Arches, Vegetation & a Working Local Landscape

Photography at Taşköprü

Taşköprü is a good subject for travellers who enjoy small-scale architectural photography. The bridge's strongest visual feature is the contrast between the pointed central arch and the two smaller rounded openings.

Side View

The clearest composition for showing all three arches and the bridge's overall profile.

Central Arch

Use the pointed opening as a natural frame for vegetation or the stream beyond.

Masonry Details

Close photographs of the stonework can reveal repairs, texture and the practical character of the structure.

Environmental Context

Include the banks, trees and surrounding settlement to show that this is a working local monument rather than an isolated ruin.

Soft Light

Cloudy conditions or low-angle light can help reveal stone texture without deep contrast.

Safety First

Do not step into unstable banks, climb historic masonry or block local access for a photograph.

A Historic Working Site Rather Than a Purpose-Built Visitor Attraction

Accessibility at Taşköprü

The bridge is located within a normal settlement environment, not a fully developed archaeological park. As a result, accessibility depends on the exact approach, roadside conditions, vegetation and the state of the stream bank at the time of your visit.

Travellers who require step-free, firm and predictable surfaces should be prepared to enjoy the monument from the safest roadside or level viewing position available. Do not assume that the best photographic angle will be wheelchair-accessible.

Because local infrastructure can change, visitors with specific mobility requirements should confirm current conditions before making the bridge the central purpose of a journey.

Convenient for Travellers Moving Along Eastern Yalova

How to Get to Taşköprü

From Yalova City

Travel east through Çiftlikköy toward Taşköprü and use local navigation for the historic bridge area.

From Kocaeli / Karamürsel

Approach westward along the Yalova corridor toward Taşköprü and Çiftlikköy.

By Private Vehicle

The easiest option for locating the bridge and combining it with several Yalova attractions in one day.

By Local Transport

Public transport can bring you into the wider settlement area, but a short local walk or taxi may still be needed depending on your exact route.

For navigation, search specifically for “Taşköprü, Çiftlikköy, Yalova” or the historic bridge rather than relying only on the name “Taşköprü,” which is used by many settlements and landmarks elsewhere in Türkiye.

A Simple Heritage Stop in About 30 Minutes

Suggested Taşköprü Short Visit

0–5 min – Arrive & Orient Yourself Park safely where permitted and identify the bridge, stream and best public viewing area
5–15 min – Main Bridge View Study the three arches and photograph the bridge from a side angle
15–25 min – Details & Setting Look at the masonry, vegetation and relationship between the bridge and the local watercourse
25–30 min – Wider Context Take a final wider view and continue into Taşköprü or toward your next Yalova stop
Historic Infrastructure, Atatürk Heritage & the Marmara Coast

Suggested Half-Day Route from Taşköprü

09:00 – Taşköprü Historic Bridge Begin with the three-arched stone bridge and the story behind the settlement's name
09:45 – Drive Through Çiftlikköy Observe the transition from agricultural settlement to modern urban and industrial Yalova
10:30 – Yürüyen Köşk Continue west to one of Yalova's best-known Atatürk heritage sites
11:45 – Yalova Coast / City Centre Finish with the waterfront, museums or lunch according to your interests

This route works especially well for travellers who want to combine a small local monument with one of Yalova's major heritage attractions without spending the entire day on the road.

Connect Taşköprü with Yalova's Wider Heritage Landscape

Suggested Full-Day Yalova Heritage Route

Morning – Taşköprü Historic bridge, local settlement history and eastern Yalova landscape
Late Morning – Yürüyen Köşk Explore the famous Atatürk house and its environmental story
Midday – Yalova City Lunch, waterfront and a museum stop
Afternoon – Karaca Arboretum Continue into Yalova's botanical heritage when access and opening arrangements allow
Late Afternoon – Optional Eastern Yalova Extension Return east toward Hersek, Altınova or another heritage destination if daylight and your schedule permit

The strongest full-day itinerary depends on your interests. Taşköprü is best used as one meaningful stop within a broader Yalova route rather than stretching the bridge itself into a long visit.

A Few Simple Tips Make the Visit Easier

Practical Tips for Visiting Taşköprü

Use a Specific Map Search

Include Çiftlikköy and Yalova in your search because “Taşköprü” is a common place-name in Türkiye.

Do Not Expect a Museum

The bridge is a local historic structure rather than a ticketed archaeological site with a visitor centre.

Wear Practical Shoes

Useful if the ground near the stream is damp, uneven or overgrown.

Respect Local Access

Do not block roads, entrances, agricultural access or residential areas when parking or taking photographs.

Avoid Climbing

The bridge is historic and has documented damage. Observe the masonry without adding further stress.

Be Careful After Rain

Stream banks, vegetation and stone surfaces may become slippery.

Pair It with Another Stop

The bridge is ideal for a road-trip itinerary that also includes Yalova city, Çiftlikköy or eastern Yalova.

Keep Expectations Realistic

The value of Taşköprü lies in local history and authenticity, not monumental scale or extensive visitor facilities.

Continue Exploring Yalova

Places to Visit Near Taşköprü

Yürüyen Köşk

Visit Yalova's famous Atatürk mansion, moved on rails to protect the plane tree beside it.

Yalova City Museum

Explore the province's urban history, local identity and changing social landscape.

Karaca Arboretum

Discover one of Yalova's best-known botanical collections and a very different side of the province.

17 August Earthquake Memorial

Understand one of the most important events in modern Yalova's history and collective memory.

Hersek, Altınova

Continue east for Ottoman heritage, ancient-history landscapes, Hersek Lagoon and Gulf of İzmit views.

Explore Yalova

Plan a wider route through the province's museums, thermal springs, forests, waterfalls, historic towns and coastline.
Useful Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Taşköprü, Yalova

Where is Taşköprü?

Taşköprü is in Çiftlikköy district of Yalova Province, in north-western Türkiye, along the eastern Yalova corridor toward Kocaeli.

Why is the settlement called Taşköprü?

Municipal history states that the settlement takes its name from the historic stone bridge located on a stream in the northern part of the community. “Taş köprü” literally means “stone bridge” in Turkish.

Where is the historic bridge?

The official cultural inventory places the bridge in the Köyaltı area of Taşköprü, Çiftlikköy, Yalova.

How old is Taşköprü Bridge?

The exact construction date is unknown. Taşköprü Municipality records a local tradition that the bridge is roughly 400 years old, but the official Culture Portal inventory does not assign it a construction year.

Is Taşköprü Bridge Ottoman?

It may be tempting to assign the bridge to a specific Ottoman period, but the official inventory does not list a cultural period, builder or construction date. It is safer to describe it simply as a historic stone bridge of uncertain date.

How many arches does the bridge have?

The bridge has three arches: one large pointed arch in the centre and two smaller rounded arches on the sides.

What is the bridge made from?

It is a stone masonry bridge. Municipal descriptions also refer to cut-stone construction.

Is Taşköprü Bridge protected?

Yes. The bridge is included in Türkiye's cultural inventory and was registered as a monumental protected structure in 1993.

Is the bridge in good condition?

The official Culture Portal description states that the bridge has been damaged. Visitors should therefore treat the structure carefully and avoid climbing on historic masonry.

Can I walk over the bridge?

The cultural inventory records its historic and current function as a bridge, but local access and safety conditions can change. Use only clearly permitted, safe routes and never enter an unstable section simply for sightseeing.

When was modern Taşköprü founded?

According to Taşköprü Municipality, the modern village was founded in 1902.

Who founded Taşköprü?

Municipal history says the modern settlement was established by 15 related households from Aydos in Bulgaria.

Why did the original settlers move to the present location?

The municipal account says the first settlement area suffered from mosquitoes and malaria. The community moved to the present location because it offered woodland and pasture suitable for livestock.

When did Taşköprü become a municipality?

Municipal history records a 1991 Interior Ministry decision and says the municipality began functioning after local elections on 7 June 1992.

What is the landscape around Taşköprü like?

The settlement lies on relatively level alluvial ground at the foot of Davuldöven, with Kılıç Stream identified by the municipality as the principal local watercourse.

Is Taşköprü still an agricultural community?

Agriculture remains part of its identity. Municipal sources describe vegetable production, orchards and livestock, although modern Taşköprü is also strongly influenced by nearby industry.

Why is there so much industry around Taşköprü?

Large-scale industrial development expanded from the 1970s, bringing new employment, population growth and commercial activity to the eastern Yalova corridor.

How long should I spend at the bridge?

For most visitors, 20–45 minutes is enough to see the bridge carefully, photograph it and understand its relationship with the settlement.

Is Taşköprü worth visiting?

It is worthwhile for travellers who enjoy local history, small historic structures, stone architecture and authentic road-trip stops. It is best combined with other Yalova attractions rather than treated as a full-day destination on its own.

What is the best season to visit?

The bridge can be seen year-round. Spring and autumn are especially comfortable, while morning and late afternoon generally provide more attractive light for photography.

Do I need a car?

A private vehicle is the most practical option if you want to combine Taşköprü with Çiftlikköy, Yalova city, Hersek or other regional attractions.

What else can I visit nearby?

Good combinations include Yürüyen Köşk, Yalova City Museum, Karaca Arboretum, 17 August Earthquake Memorial and Hersek.

Discover the Lesser-Known Heritage of Yalova

Private Yalova Heritage Experiences

A private Yalova itinerary can include Taşköprü's historic bridge together with Atatürk heritage, museums, botanical gardens, Ottoman monuments, wetlands and other lesser-known places according to your interests and available time.

Custom Yalova Heritage Route

Tell us whether your priority is local history, Ottoman heritage, Atatürk sites, nature, photography or discovering places outside the usual tourist route, and we can shape the day around your schedule.

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Explore Yalova

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