Old Dee Bridge
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The Old Dee Bridge, in Chester, Cheshire, England is the oldest bridge in the city. It leads from the bottom of Lower Bridge Street and the Bridge gate across the River Dee to Handbridge. It is a Grade I listed building.[1]
[edit] History
The first recorded Dee Bridge was constructed of wood on this site in 922 replacing the Roman ford 100m downstream.[1]
The present bridge was constructed during the reign of Edward I. Legend says that when the king crossed over on his way to participate in the Welsh Wars. He said that if a stone bridge was not built on his return he would sack the city. Luckily for Chester the current bridge was in place by the time he came back in 1280.[2]
The bridge, which is built in local red sandstone, has seven arches, all of which are of unequal dimensions.[1] At the southern end of the bridge there was a fortified gatehouse or barbican. This was demolished in 1781. [2] The crossing was widened to provide a footway in 1826.[3]
The Old Dee Bridge was effectively superseded by Grosvenor Bridge when the new crossing opened for traffic in 1833.[1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c Images of England: Old Dee Bridge. English Heritage. Retrieved on 2007-08-06.
- ^ Attributed to Edmund Garvey: The Old Dee Bridge. Chester City Council. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
[edit] External links
- Map sources for Old Dee Bridge
- Images at geograph
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