Who Built Jisr (Banāt) Yaʿqūb over the Upper Jordan?

The crossing of the Upper Jordan River (Nahr al-Sharīʿah) to the north of the Sea of Galilee has always been of strategic importance for the inhabitants of the area. A now-destroyed stone bridge, located approximately one kilometer north of Meẓad ʿAteret has often been credited to the Mamluk sultan Baybars (r. 658–76/1260–77). He is known to have built a series of bridges to enhance the road network within his territory. The available sources, however, do not mention his direct involvement in the construction of this particular bridge. On the other hand, we do learn that he crossed this bridge while on route to besiege Ṣafad. This article brings to light a so-far overlooked piece of textual evidence dealing with the patronage of this bridge, placing its erection (or repair?) during the Ayyubid period. Despite being the sole source of information, it should not be overlooked but rather evaluated according to its face value and its historical-archaeological context.