Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge
| Bridge of Sighs | |
| Cambridgeshire | |
|---|---|
 The Bridge of Sighs | |
| Location | |
| Type: | Covered arch bridge |
| Crossing: | River Cam |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TL44675880 |
| Location: | 52°12’30"N, -0°6’57"E |
| Structure | |
| Type: | Covered arch bridge |
| Material: | Stone |
| History | |
| Built 1831 | |
| Architect: | Henry Hutchinson |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | St John's College, Cambridge |
The Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge (for formally known as the New Court Bridge) is a stone covered bridge at St John's College, Cambridge. It was built in 1831 and crosses the River Cam between the college's Third Court and New Court. The architect was Henry Hutchinson.[1][2]
The bridge takes its name from the celebrated Bridge of Sighs in Venice,[3] although they have little architecturally in common beyond the fact that they are both covered bridges with arched bases. The bridge, a Grade I listed building,[2] is a Cambridge attraction and Queen Victoria is said to have loved it more than any other spot in the city.[4]
History
In the early 19th century, St John's College added accommodation on the west side of the River Cam, an area known as the Backs, with the construction of New Court. The new buildings and the bridge linking them with the original college buildings were designed in 1827 by Henry Hutchinson in the fashionable Gothic Revival style. Construction was completed in 1831, shortly before his death.[4]
On two occasions, students have pulled the prank of dangling a car under the bridge. In the first incident (in June 1963), a 1928 Austin 7 was punted down the river using four)|punts that had been lashed together, then hoisted up under the bridge using ropes.[5] The second incident (in 1968) a Bond or Reliant Regal three-wheeler car was dangled under the bridge.[citation needed] In neither case was the bridge damaged.
The bridge was a favourite spot of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who had photos taken there in 1947 when he was a student, upon Lee Hsien Loong's graduation in 1974 and in 2000.[6][7]
On film
The bridge was a filming location for Elizabeth: The Golden Age in 2007 and The Theory of Everything in 2014.[4]
See also
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge) |
References
- ↑ "Cambridge Tourist Information". About Britain. http://www.aboutbritain.com/towns/cambridge.asp. Retrieved 2008-06-23. "The famous Bridge of Sighs built in 1831 by Henry Hutchinson spans the River Cam..."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Heritage List 1326664: St John's College, New Bridge (Grade I listing)
- ↑ "The Bridge of Sighs - St John's College, Cambridge". http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/bridge-sighs.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "New Court". St. John's College. http://www.joh.cam.ac.uk/new-court. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
- ↑ "Plans to recreate Austin 7 Cambridge student stunt racing ahead". Cambridge News. Archived from the original on 19 January 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150119153257/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/SLIDESHOW-Plans-recreate-Austin-7-Cambridge-student-stunt-racing-ahead/story-22362995-detail/story.html. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
- ↑ migration (26 March 2015). "PM Lee shares old pictures of parents at Cambridge's Bridge of Sighs". http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/pm-lee-shares-old-pictures-parents-cambridges-bridge-sig.
- ↑ "Lee Hsien Loong". https://www.facebook.com/leehsienloong/photos/a.344710778924968.83425.125845680811480/883441685051872/?type=1.Template:Cbignore
| Bridges over the River Cam | |
|---|---|
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Brasley • Sheep's Green • Fen Causeway • Crusoe • Darwin • Silver Street • Mathematical • King's • Clare • Garret Hostel • Trinity • Kitchen • Bridge of Sighs • Magdalene • Jesus Lock • Victoria • Fort St George • Cutter Ferry • Elizabeth Way • Riverside • Green Dragon • Railway • Abbey-Chesterton • A14 • Baits Bite Lock |
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