richly decorated stela

I could't find any reference in Turkish,but there are many in Russian. I will not paste them into the body of the answer. Here is the translation of one sentence - "There is a richly decorated stela with embossed arabic legatures in the middle of the bridge"

"The Bridge on the Drina"
Hope it helps.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 21:14:09 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Of course "LIGATURES". I am sorry for the typo. Thank you, Sevınç.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 21:40:45 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I think that you can easily use "memorial plaque", "commemorative tablet", "memorial tablet" or "memorial plate" instead of "platform".

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 21:45:43 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Platform" is not an appropriate word in this context, IMHO :-(

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 22:13:32 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Andric's tale, covering the life of multiple generations in a small city in eastern Bosnia, centers on the Ottoman bridge constructed in the center of town. Its high spans look down on the swirling waters of the Drina River, and at its center is a balustrade-lined platform called a capia, which becomes the center of town life for centuries. Andric's lyrical prose is nothing short of magnificent, even in translation. His multitude of characters are insightfully and skillfully drawn. And ever the narrative returns to the bridge. In effect the novel is something akin to both Tolstoy and Michener, with a rich ironical voice reminiscent of the best Latin American writers."



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 22:14:36 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0226020452/ref=ase_ev...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 22:20:17 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Balustrade-lined platform" ? In fact I still don't like "platform". It should be something more imaginative. But this is just my opinion, don't take it serious :-)) I like my first variant.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-25 23:30:32 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I don't understand why you don't like "stela" - it means "memorial stone with inscription" - in your case the religious inscription is made in so called "cufic
style", in arabic language, I am 100% sure about it. I think one of the reasons why this bridge attracts attention is the stela richly decorated with this arabic inscription. IMHO

Other pros opinions of this response:

agree sevinc altincekic: stela is the right word i think, but legature should read ligature as per mw.com
> Yes true. Erratum :-) -



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-26 11:03:53 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I disagree with your interpretation of the stella term. Tombstone could be \"grave stone\", \"ledger stone\", \"headstone\", \"tumulary stone\" or\"sepulchral stone\" but never \"stela\". Could be \"pillar\" with the meaning of \"faked pillar\". But there is no decoration here, it is a memorial place. The main meaning of \"stela\" is the \"memorial stone with inscription or epigraph\". I am afraid that you are boring of my gush of enthusiasm. So I am closing the fountain of ideas. All the best.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2003-04-26 11:11:50 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

YES YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!!! \"STONE SOFA\" IS PERFECT. Check this link. There is a good photo there. But \"stela\" is a good word too :-))))


http://www.google.com.tr/search?q=cache:id3f2We7SacC:www.ivo...