Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge: A Symbol of London’s Resilience and Innovation

Standing proudly over the River Thames, Tower Bridge is an iconic landmark that has captivated visitors. Its majestic towers, adorned with intricate Gothic Revival architecture, and its bascule drawbridge mechanism make it a marvel of engineering and a symbol of London’s resilience and innovation.

A Bridge of Two Towers

The story  began in the 19th century when the growing population of London necessitated a new crossing over the River Thames. After a public competition, was chosen design of Horace Jones and the engineering prowess of Sir John Wolfe Barry.

Construction began in 1886. For 8 years, 400 men worked tirelessly to erect the bridge’s two towers, each rising 213 feet (65 meters) above the river. The towers were not merely for aesthetics. They also served as anchoring points for the bascule drawbridges, the innovative mechanism to open and close the bridge for passing ships.

Lesser-known facts about Tower Bridge:

• Nothing connects the bridge’s towers physically. Independent foundations support them. 
• They lifted the bridge’s bascule drawbridges pieces over 80,000 times since it opened the access in 1894. 
• The bridge’s original steam engines moved to electric motors in 1977. 
• The bridge’s walkways were originally open-air, but they closed the structure with glass in 1982. 
• The bridge is home to a small museum that tells the story of its construction and history. 

Tips on how to take good pictures with Tower Bridge:

• Get up close. Tower Bridge is a massive structure, so it’s important to get up close to capture its details. Try taking pictures from different angles to get a variety of perspectives. 
• Use the bridge as a frame. The bridge’s towers and walkways can be used to frame your photos, creating interesting compositions. 
• Wait for the drawbridge to open. If you’re lucky, you might be able to capture a photo of the bridge’s bascule drawbridges opening. This is a rare sight, but it’s definitely worth waiting for. 
• Shoot at night. Tower Bridge is beautifully lit up at night, so it’s a great time to take photos. Use a tripod to avoid camera shake and capture the stunning details. 
• Be patient. Photography is all about patience, so don’t be afraid to wait for the perfect shot. Take your time, experiment with different compositions, and you’ll eventually capture some amazing photos of Tower Bridge.

Tower Bridge: A Symbol of London’s proud past and promising future.