Borrowed from Wikipedia
The Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge is a covered bridge belonging to St John's College of Cambridge University. It was built in 1831 and crosses the River Cam between the college's Third Court and New Court. The architect was Henry Hutchinson.
It is named after the Bridge of Sighs in Venice, although they have little architecturally in common beyond the fact that they are both covered. The bridge is one of Cambridge's main tourist attractions and Queen Victoria is said to have loved it more than any other spot in the city.
A common myth states that it was the students who named this bridge "bridge of sighs," as the context of its existing within the college grounds means that the "sighs" are those of pre-exam students. This belief probably has much to do with the function of the bridge--linking two quadrangles of St John's College together in a covered path, as opposed to Kitchen Bridge, which is an open-air bridge. Students are rumoured for their sighs on proceeding from their quarters on the Backs to the tutor's offices in the main college quadrangle.
On two separate occasions, students have pulled the prank of dangling a car under the bridge. In the first incident (in 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. The second incident (in 1968) a Bond or Reliant Regal three-wheeler car was dangled under the bridge. In neither case was the bridge damaged.
See also my post of 15th May about the Bridge of Sighs in the "Other Place"( this is how Cambridge refers to Oxford and Oxford to Cambridge, as both cities are each other's rivals)
Thanks to Louis we can participate in this meme!
For more bridges go to Sunday Bridges
13 comments:
That is a beautiful bridge (and interesting post) I have never been to Cambridge, but it's on my travel list ! Anyway this bridge is far more beautiful than the one in Venice !
It is lovely. I much prefer your shot, with a boat, instead of a car under the bridge.
That is a gorgeous bridge. I'm trying to picture how they dangled a car under it. That was quite an undertaking. I'm glad they didn't damage the bridge.
That is a gorgeous shot....looks like a postcard! Thanks for that interesting background, too!
That is the most beautiful covered bridge I think I have ever seen. I am glad it was not damaged by the pranksters.
I can see why Queen V loved this spot. Wonderful bridge... and photo. And I agree with Dina... better with a boat. :-D
A good example of college campuses as places of beauty and inspiration. In the U.S., some schools (especially newer colleges) don't seem to have tried for this. For most students, their college campus will be the last time they were immersed in a beauty meant to inspire a continuing quest for knowledge. It's a shame that some cannot afford it, but is that such a bad idea?
The covered bridge is just gorgeous! and I can imagine the view from inside looking out on a cold wintry day would be beautiful!
This is a beautiful bridge. I like the windows, and the boat underneath!
Excellent, Wil. «Louis» agrees with Dina - the boat is much preferable to the car.
By the way, your Monday Doorways is up!
;-D
What a beautiful bridge!
I love scrolling down the page of your blog and see all your wonderful photos. This one caught my eye because my son will be in Cambridge for three weeks this summer. I will be sure to show him this post before he leaves. Thank you.
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