Muş, located in the Eastern Anatolia Region, has hosted a number of civilizations throughout history. That Muş was situated particularly on the western route of the Urartian state and on a historical trade route, made the city remain in a strategical location throughout history. The bridges examined in the study were also on the mentioned route. However, it may be stated that the route had been used by all states ruling the region in the interlude until the ruler of the Ottoman Empire. Four historical bridges including the Mus Ulu Bridge, the Karasu Bridge, the Malazgirt Bridge and the Abdurrahman Pasha Bridge have reached the present day. However, among them, no archival information about the Abdurahman Pasha Bridge could be obtained. Similarly, although the archival information related to the Mus Karasu Bridge is available, the bridge itself did not survive. There is no exact information indicating when and by whom the analyzed bridges were first built. It may be inferred from the obtained archive documents that the historic bridges in Muş were either rebuilt or substantially repaired because they had been too destroyed to cross in the late Ottoman period. In the existing publications, the studied bridges were dated back to the Seljuk period when they were examined in terms of their materials, engineering, and plans. However, any documents confirming this assumption could not be obtained.

The first document concerning the bridges dates back to 1849. It is stated in this document that the Mus Ulu Bridge had 18 bays, one of which was destroyed and in need of repair. However, it has reached to the present day with its 12 bays.

The Karasu Bridge and the Ulu Bridge (Historical Murat Bridge) are located on the same route. It is followed on the same route by the Karasu Bridge, the Ulu Bridge, the Mercimek Castle, and the Abdurahman Pasha Bridge, respectively, from Mus center towards Erzurum. It is noted that the comings and goings were interrupted for about 15-20 days, particularly in harsh climate conditions, and especially caravans and poor people could not cross. It was possible to cross only by means of donkeys or other animals at that time. Moreover, it is noted in the subsequent documents that correspondences were initiated in H.1311/C.E. 1893; however, a favorable result could not be obtained until the early 1900s. It may be inferred from the documents that the bridges were either repaired, or another solution was produced for transportation between the years 1849 and 1890. However, it is stated that the Karasu and Ulu Bridges were too destroyed to cross, and the Karasu Bridge was completely ruined and the last wood left on it also went away because of the water in 1893. Thus, there is a high probability that the deck part of the Karasu Bridge, which could not reach today, was wooden. It is also emphasized that the Ulu Bridge also collapsed, and it had to be repaired as it was crucial for the transportation of the army; otherwise, it would be dangerous in terms of safety and it would be impossible for the transportation of the army between the routes Bitlis-Muş-Erzurum and Bitlis-Muş-Bingöl-Harput. It is also noted that both of the bridges had to be renovated in accordance with their original forms.

It may be claimed that a security threat has increased in the region since the beginning of the 20th century. It is known that the following years correspond to World War I. The other point to take into consideration is the dating of the bridges. The Karasu Bridge could not reach the present day. No information was obtained in relation to the date of its construction.

It is not known when and by whom the Mus Ulu Bridge (Historical Murat Bridge) was first built. However, it may be concluded from its prevailing condition that it underwent considerable repairs in the late Ottoman period. Considering its materials and technique, it may be noted that it has some noteworthy similarities with the Kırkgoz Bridge, located on the way of the Tohma Stream in Malatya. The historical background of the Kırkgoz Bridge in Malatya is not precisely known today.  

However, it is inferred from another archival document that the Malatya-Kırkgoz Bridge was one of Murat 4th’ charity works and had been repaired together with the Karakısıt bridge in Hekimhan for three years, and the repair was completed, and the bridge was reopened to use. However, it is not precisely clear whether it was rebuilt or not. According to the present document, it may be claimed that it was first built by Murat 4th. Nevertheless, it would be useful to consider its construction year carefully. It is highly possible that the Mus Ulu Bridge (Historical Murat Bridge was also reconstructed by Murat 4th.The reason for this is that the bridge is called “Historical Murat Bridge” today. It must have reached today because of its constructor. It is similar to the Malatya-Kırkgoz Bridge in terms of its materials and technique. It is most likely that some hans and bridges on the route were repaired, and some of them were reconstructed to facilitate the crossing of the army during the Baghdad expedition of Murat 4th.

Although there are no available documents about the Abdurrahman Pasha Bridge, it may be assumed, as its name suggests, that the present bridge was built by the ruler of Muş, Abdurahman Pasha, in the first half of the 19th century. It is realized that Abdurahman Pasha was appointed as the ruler of Muş in 1827. Considering that he was murdered soon after his appointment in 1827, it is most likely that the bridge was constructed in 1827 or 1828.

As for the Malazgirt Bridge, it is also unknown when and by whom it was built. However, according to the information in the documents, it had been absolutely destroyed, and only its piles have reached today, and it had not been repaired until the years 1911-1912. It is highly possible that it was rebuilt in the Republic period. The aim of the study is to evaluate the existing documents in particular and the bridges, in terms of their materials, engineering, and plans.