TOWER BRIDGE
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London's most famous bridge, a true symbol of the city with its Gothic towers and weighbridge.
The most spectacular bridge on the Thames, it symbolizes London in the same way as Big Ben or Westminster. Built in 1894 to facilitate road traffic while maintaining access to the river, this giant movable bridge lifts in a matter of minutes to allow passing ships to pass, thanks to an opening system that was revolutionary for its time. The bridge's two immense Gothic towers are more than just decorative: they house the Victorian-era steam-powered machinery that operated the bascule bridge (since 1976, this has been replaced by an electric motor). It took eight years and 432 workers to build. Two massive piers were cast into the riverbed to support the construction, and over 11,000 tonnes of steel were used. To protect the frame and give it a pleasing appearance, it was clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone. You can visit the control room on the south bank of the river, as well as the chambers housing the engines, accumulators and boilers of the period... The Tower Bridge first opened its doors to the public in 1982. At the Tower Bridge Exhibition, you can learn all about the history and mechanism of the bridge (over fifty plans are on display). Another attraction of the museum is the glass-panelled upper walkway, from which you can enjoy a magnificent 42-metre view of the River Thames and its banks.
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