Sebara Dildiy
Sebara Dildiy | |
|---|---|
A photograph of the Sebara Dildiy, with a truss bridge linking the partially destroyed arch section (2005) | |
| Coordinates | 11°13′04″N 37°52′36″E / 11.21767°N 37.87667°E |
| Carried | Footpath |
| Crossed | Blue Nile (Abay River) |
| Locale | Amhara Region, Ethiopia |
| Other name(s) | Portuguese Bridge, Fasil Bridge, Broken bridge |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Material | Lime mortar and local stones |
| Total length | 60 metres (200 ft) |
| Width | 4 metres (13 ft) |
| Traversable? | No |
| No. of spans | 10 (arches) |
| History | |
| Built | between 1600–1660 (Gondarine period) |
| Destroyed | Likely during World War II |
| Location | |
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Sebara Dildiy (Amharic: ሰበረ ድልድይ seberi dilidī, "Broken Bridge"), also commonly known as the Portuguese Bridge or the Fasil Bridge, is a 17th century arch bridge built during the Gondarine period, constructed across the Blue Nile, which is locally referred to as the Abay River in Ethiopia. It is located to the northeast of Mota in the Misraq Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region. The bridge is 60 meters in length and 4 meters in width. The bridge was built by Emperor Fasilides during the 17th century, likely between 1600–1660, and it is believed to have been partially destroyed during World War II.
It is reported that no significant repairs have been successful since its partial destruction, likely during World War II. In February 2002, a metal truss bridge, supported by the original superstructure, was installed to restore the functionality of Sebara Dildiy, making it traversable. It was designed and installed by an American nonprofit organization, Bridges to Prosperity, and it reportedly lasted until 2005. In 2009, a cable suspension bridge for pedestrians was built nearby to connect to the country's existing road network.