Pont Neuf, Toulouse

For the bridge in Paris, see Pont Neuf.
Pont Neuf, Toulouse

Pont Neuf, Toulouse
Official name Pont de Pierre[1]
Crosses Garonne River
Locale Toulouse
Designer Jacques Le Mercier (Lemercier)
Pierre Soufron[2]
Design arch bridge
Material stone
Longest span approximately 30 metres (98 ft)[2]
Number of spans 7[2]
Construction begin 1544[2]
Construction end 1632[2]

The Pont Neuf, French for "New Bridge" (a.k.a. Pont de Pierre and Grand Pont),[1] is a 16th century bridge in Toulouse, in the South of France.

Construction

Original planning for the bridge started in 1542 by the assembly of a committee of master masons and carpenters. Construction started on the foundations in 1544;[2] the first arch was started in 1614.[1] The bridge was finished in 1632, and was inaugurated on 19 October 1659.

The bridge is not symmetrical; the longest arch is the third from the right-hand bank. The openings through the piers were originally supposed to represent the face and mane of a lion.[1] A triumphal archway added in 1686 constricted traffic and was removed in 1860.[1]

It is 220m long, and has 7 arches.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Whitney, Charles S. (2003) [1929]. Bridges of the World: Their Design and Construction. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications. pp. 132–134. ISBN 0-486-42995-4. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Pont-Neuf at Structurae

External links