| Hertford Bridge | |
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Hertford Bridge from Catte Street |
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Location within Oxford (central)
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| Alternative names | Bridge of Sighs |
| General information | |
| Type | Covered bridge |
| Coordinates | |
| Completed | 1914 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Graham Jackson |
Hertford Bridge, popularly known as the Bridge of Sighs, is a skyway over New College Lane in Oxford, England.
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The bridge is often referred to as the Bridge of Sighs because of its supposed similarity to the famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice. However, Hertford Bridge was never intended to be a replica of the Venetian bridge, and indeed it bears a closer resemblance to the Rialto Bridge in the same city.
There is a false legend saying that many decades ago, a survey of the health of students was taken, and as Hertford College's students were the heaviest, the college closed off the bridge to force them to take the stairs, giving them extra exercise. However, if the bridge is not used, the students actually climb fewer stairs than if they do use the bridge.[1]
The bridge links together the Old and New Quadrangles of Hertford College, and much of its current architecture was designed by Sir Thomas Jackson. It was completed in 1914, despite its construction being opposed by New College.