A History of Bridge Building in Ten Bridges

Let’s start with a Roman Bridge, in Córdoba. It’s called the Roman bridge, because it was first built during the Roman colonisation of southern Spain. But it was overhauled in the 10th century. Then in the Middle Ages. Then in the 16th and the 17th centuries, when a statue of St Raphael was added. Lights were added in the 19th century, and it was pedestrianised in 2006. It’s a wonder it can still be called the Roman Bridge. But it can. The 14th and 15 arches are still the original ones.

El Puente Romano de Córdoba.

We’ll leap forward to the Renaissance, but stay in Spain, in Valencia, and visit the Puente del Mar. Flooding in the River Túria swept away an old wooden bridge, so in 1591, it was replaced with this:

Puente del Mar, Valencia.

Stone, brick, wood: all these were the traditional bridge -building materials of choice down the centuries. Until the Industrial Revolution here in England, whose original epicentre was in Coalbrookdale, thanks to its wealth of natural resources all conveniently in the same area. The world’s first iron bridge was built here in 1779.

The Iron Bridge, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire.

This bridge is the grandparent of almost all bridges built – in the UK at least – since then and into the 20th century. Here are three: Vauxhall Bridge, completed in 1906; the Tees Transporter Bridge, completed in 1911, and the Tyne Bridge, completed in 1928.

Let’s leap briefly into the 21st century, and look at one of the bridges in Valencia’s assertively future-facing Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, created between 1998 and 2009.

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia.

And finally, the Millau Viaduct, sweeping more than 300 metres above the Tarn in southern France, designed by Norman Foster and completed in 2004. Like Valencia’s Science Park, it’s a destination in its own right.

Millau Viaduct, Occitanie, France.

But we can’t leave without mentioning the featured photo: London’s iconic Tower Bridge, open to traffic since 1894: both road traffic, and when regularly lifted, to river traffic beneath. The photo demonstrates why the extra height is necessary: that’s HMS Belfast in the foreground.

And to finish off, let’s stop at something that’s even older than bridges as a way of allowing travellers to cross water. Stepping stones. These are at Redmire Force, and are still a popular way of crossing the River Ure.

For Leannne’s Monochrome Madness#17: Bridges

Unknown's avatar

Author: margaret21

I'm retired and live in North Yorkshire, where I walk , write, volunteer and travel as often as I can.

61 thoughts on “A History of Bridge Building in Ten Bridges”

  7. Such an informative and evocative tour. Those modern bridges are stunning. There’s a place though, for all of these bridges and each of them has their own beauty and character.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. What a clever idea to tell the history of bridges through your photos! Great to see the Tyne Bridge of course and I’m also rather fond of Vauxhall Bridge too 🙂 And I love the stepping stones!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I used to live near Vauxhall Bridge, and quite a few of my friends lived in the – then – council flats behind what is now Tate Britain. It’s a shock to see those same flats changing hands now for well over a million.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. A brilliant collection of bridges, Margaret! Bridges have so much symbolism embedded in their structures. To me, bridges symbolize the connections we forge in our lives—bridging gaps between differences, overcoming obstacles, and fostering unity. They remind me that we can build pathways to understanding and collaboration, transcending barriers to create a more harmonious existence.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. The bridges are magnificent and your photos are great. I especially liked the reflections in the Puente del Mar. The stepping stones are a down-to-earth and quirky reminder of simpler alternatives 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

      1. When I think about it, the Golden Gate and Tower Bridge are pretty special and I do wish I’d seen those really long bridges in France, the US and Scandinavia. We have one here in Melbourne, the Westgate that sends chills down the spine of locals of a certain age. During construction a section of the bridge collapsed sending many workers plummeting to their deaths. On a brighter note, my all time Aussie favourite is not Sydney, but a classic in Brisbane the Storey Bridge. I used to do a bit of work in Brisbane and the sight of driving over that bridge at dusk, with the city lighting up and hundreds of fruit bats flying overhead was magical.

        Like

  23. Hi Margaret, Thank you for the history information behind these bridges! “The world’s first iron bridge was built here in 1779” good to know. Beautiful black and white photos. Love the last one especially.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Pingback: Reflections in Spain – From Pyrenees to Pennines

Comments are closed.