Demirköprü, Antakya Explained

Type:	neighbourhood
Province:	Hatay
District:	Antakya
Demirköprü
Population Total:	1011
Population As Of:	2022
Coordinates:	36.2483°N 36.3531°W
Other Name:	Jisr al-Hadid

Demirköprü (also known as Jisr al-Hadid) is a neighbourhood of the municipality and district of Antakya, Hatay Province, Turkey.^[1] Its population is 1,011 (2022).^[2] The village was the birthplace of Yusuf al-Sa'dun, a commander in the Hananu Revolt.

History

Demirköprü is the location of the ancient settlement of Gephyra (= bridge in Greek),^[3] an important station for the transport of goods from the port of Seleucia Pieria to Antioch and further east to Euphrates.^[4] Around 20 miles north of Antioch, the bridge known as "Iron Bridge" due to its iron braces spanned the Orontes on nine arches. The bridge lasted until the twentieth century when it was pulled town.^[5]

Nearby is Tell Tayinat which is probably Kinalua, the capital of the Neo-Hittite kingdom of Pattin.^[6]

Notes and References

1. https://www.e-icisleri.gov.tr/Anasayfa/MulkiIdariBolumleri.aspx Mahalle
2. Web site: Address-based population registration system (ADNKS) results dated 31 December 2022, Favorite Reports. 19 September 2023. TÜİK. en. XLS.
3. Barrington Atlas of the Greek and Roman World, Map by map directory, Map 67 Antioch, p. 1031.
4. Nigel Pollard, Soldiers, Cities, and Civilians in Roman Syria, University of Michigan Press, 2000,, pp. 60, 185.
5. Book: Dass . Nirmal . The Deeds of the Franks and Other Jerusalem-Bound Pilgrims: The Earliest Chronicle of the First Crusade . 16 September 2011 . Rowman & Littlefield Publishers . 978-1-4422-0499-7 . 133 . 20 February 2024 . en.
6. Book: Lipiński . Edward . The Aramaeans: Their Ancient History, Culture, Religion . 2000 . Peeters Publishers . 978-90-429-0859-8 . 285 . 20 February 2024 . en.