London Bridge

Contrary to what most people think... This is London Bridge!  It was originally built of wood by the Romans to cross the River Thames from the north side to the south side.  It has been built and rebuilt many times. The nursery rhyme, 'London Bridge is Falling Down' was believed to have come about after the Norwegian Prince Olaf, "pulled down" the bridge in 1014.

At one time the London Bridge had houses and shops on it (much like Porto Vecchio in Florence or Rialto Bridge in Venice). Because of the importance of the bridge and congestion, this later was put to a halt.

 

This is Tower Bridge.  It is called Tower Bridge because of the towers but also because it leads to the Tower of London.  The Tower of London is a historical castle and was once the royal residence.  Since 1100 the castle was used as a prison but not for just for your common murders and thieves.  It was for prisoners of high-status.  Elizabeth I stayed there before she was crowned Queen.  Henry VIII's wife, Anne Boleyn, also stayed there but before she was beheaded.  The Tower of London is now the home of the Crown Jewels.

The bridge use to be a green colour.  For the Queen's Silver Jubilee, the bridge was painted red, white, & blue.  This year, the Queen is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee.  I new coat of paint has just been applied to the bridge.  It was a 4 year process.

There are tours of the Tower Bridge but we have not done that yet.  You can see the gear room that lifts the bridge for tall boats and you can walk across the walkway between the 2 towers.

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London are a short walk (1.3 miles) from our new place.

Hope you have enjoyed!