7 Amazing Inhabited Bridges
The inhabited bridge is a
structure that in addition to its basic function of bridging physical obstacles,
such as a body of water, valley, or road, can also perform residential and
commercial functions. These bridges are rare in the world and for that reason
are very popular among tourists.
1. Ponte Vecchio, Italy
The Ponte Vecchio
is the oldest bridge in Florence. It is believed that a bridge
already existed here during the Roman times. Its current appearance dates back
to 1345 when it was built to replace a bridge which was destroyed by a flood.
Houses were built on the bridge, a common practice in large European cities
during the Middle Ages.
The houses on the bridge were initially
used as workshops and a diverse array of shopkeepers such as butchers and
tanners did business here. In 1593 duke Ferdinand I decided to replace them with
goldsmiths, reportedly because the shops produced too much garbage and caused a
foul stench.
Today the houses are used as
shops selling a wide assortment of jewelry, ranging from
affordable modern jewels to pricey antiques. [link,
map]
2. Krämerbrücke, Germany
The Krämerbrücke is a bridge in the
Thuringian city of Erfurt in Germany which is covered with
inhabited, half timbered buildings on both sides. It is unique in Europe north
of the Alps. The footbridge spans the Breitstrom, a branch of Gera River,
connecting Benediktsplatz and Wenigemarkt.
Currently mostly artisans and
antique shops can be found in the 32 houses on Krämer Bridge. Except for
the houses numbered 15, 20, 24 and 33, all houses are municipal property. The
building was and is a touristic highlight and a must-see.
The municipal administration maintains
a foundation for the conservation of this unique historical monument, the
Krämerbrücke Foundation. The greatest city festival of Erfurt is named after the
bridge: Krämerbrückenfest. It is held around the bridge and in the
old town annually in June. [link, map]
3. Pont de Rohan, France
Pont de Rohan is
inhabited bridge in Landerneau in north-western France. This bridge spans the
river Élorn. Since 1336, when it was built, it was restored in 1510 by Jean II
de Rohan (nobleman from 15th-century). Originally contained two stores, a mill
and a prison.
Today Pont de Rohan contains two lines
of houses on both sides and represents a landmark of Landerneau (a
commune in Brittany). [map]
4. Covered Bridge, Bulgaria
The Covered Bridge is, as the name
suggests, a covered bridge in the town of Lovech, Bulgaria. The
bridge crosses the Osam River, connecting the old and new town parts of Lovech,
being possibly the most recognisable symbol of the town.
After the bridge that then served the
town was almost completely destroyed by a flood in 1872, the local police chief
ordered the famous Bulgarian master builder Kolyu Ficheto to
construct a new one. Ficheto personally chose the material for the wooden
bridge. Each citizen of Lovech contributed to the building process, the poorer
ones working themselves and the wealthier donating money and paying other
workers. Building finished in 1874.
The initial bridge had a length of 84 m
(276 ft) and 6 vents and accommodated 64 shops. It was, however, wholly
destroyed by fire on the night of 2 to 3 August 1925. A more modern bridge was
constructed at its place in 1931 only to be replaced by a reconstruction of
Kolyu Ficheto's design in 1981-1982. The current bridge is 106 m (350 ft) long
and has 14 shops, the architect being Zlatev. [link, map]
5. Pont des Marchands, France
The Pont des Marchands is a historic
bridge in Narbonne, southern France. It serves as a foundation for a row of
houses and shops underneath which the Canal de la Robine runs
through the old town.
Its segmental arch has a span of 15 m
(50 ft). In Roman times the structure featured as many as six arches. [link, map]
6. Pulteney Bridge, UK
Pulteney Bridge is a bridge that
crosses the River Avon, in Bath, England. It was completed in 1773
and is designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.
The bridge was designed by Robert Adam,
whose working drawings are preserved in the Sir John Soane's Museum, and is one
of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.
Shops on the bridge include a flower shop, antique map
shop, and juice bar. [link, map]
7. Frome Town Bridge, UK
This inhabited bridge is located in
Frome, a town in northeast Somerset, England. Frome Town Bridge
was built in 1667. On the bridge is located building with several
shops.
Bonus 1: Bridge House, UK
Bridge House in
Ambleside, was built over Stock Ghyll (stream) more than 300 years ago
probably as a summer house and apple store for Ambleside Hall. The building was
purchased by local people in 1926 and given to the National Trust for Places of
Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.
It is now used as an information centre
for the National Trust, and is part of the Trust's Windermere and Troutbeck
property. [link]
Bonus 2: The Old Mill, France
A symbol of
Vernon (northern France), the old mill still lies straddling
two piers of the ancient bridge over the Seine. The mill was probably built in
the 16th century. It is a private property belonging to an unknown American
heir. The town of Vernon had the mill renewed a few years ago.
This mill illustrates the postal logo
of the city. It has been represented thousands of times by painters, even by
Claude Monet. [link, map]
1. Ponte Vecchio, Italy
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
2. Krämerbrücke, Germany
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
3. Pont de Rohan, France
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
4. Covered Bridge, Bulgaria
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
 |
| The interior of the bridge link |
5. Pont des Marchands, France
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
6. Pulteney Bridge, UK
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
7. Frome Town Bridge, UK
.png) |
| link |
Bonus 1: Bridge House, UK
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
Bonus 2: The Old Mill, France
 |
| link |
 |
| link |
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου