1. Ponte Vecchio, Italy
The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence.
It is believed that a bridge already existed here during the Roman
times. Its current appearance dates back to 1345 when it was built to
replace a bridge which was destroyed by a flood. Houses were built on
the bridge, a common practice in large European cities during the Middle
Ages.
The houses on the bridge
were initially used as workshops and a diverse array of shopkeepers
such as butchers and tanners did business here. In 1593 duke Ferdinand I
decided to replace them with goldsmiths, reportedly because the shops
produced too much garbage and caused a foul stench.
Today the houses are used as shops selling a wide assortment of jewelry, ranging from affordable modern jewels to pricey antiques. [link, map]
2. Krämerbrücke, Germany
The Krämerbrücke is a bridge in the Thuringian city of Erfurt
in Germany which is covered with inhabited, half timbered buildings on
both sides. It is unique in Europe north of the Alps. The footbridge
spans the Breitstrom, a branch of Gera River, connecting Benediktsplatz
and Wenigemarkt.
Currently mostly artisans and antique shops
can be found in the 32 houses on Krämer Bridge. Except for the houses
numbered 15, 20, 24 and 33, all houses are municipal property. The
building was and is a touristic highlight and a must-see.
The municipal
administration maintains a foundation for the conservation of this
unique historical monument, the Krämerbrücke Foundation. The greatest
city festival of Erfurt is named after the bridge: Krämerbrückenfest. It is held around the bridge and in the old town annually in June. [link, map]
3. Pont de Rohan, France
Pont de Rohan
is inhabited bridge in Landerneau in north-western France. This bridge
spans the river Élorn. Since 1336, when it was built, it was restored in
1510 by Jean II de Rohan (nobleman from 15th-century). Originally
contained two stores, a mill and a prison.
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Today Pont de Rohan contains two lines of houses on both sides and represents a landmark of Landerneau (a commune in Brittany). [map]
4. Covered Bridge, Bulgaria
The Covered Bridge is, as the name suggests, a covered bridge in the town of Lovech,
Bulgaria. The bridge crosses the Osam River, connecting the old and new
town parts of Lovech, being possibly the most recognisable symbol of
the town.
After the bridge that
then served the town was almost completely destroyed by a flood in 1872,
the local police chief ordered the famous Bulgarian master builder Kolyu Ficheto
to construct a new one. Ficheto personally chose the material for the
wooden bridge. Each citizen of Lovech contributed to the building
process, the poorer ones working themselves and the wealthier donating
money and paying other workers. Building finished in 1874.
The initial bridge had a
length of 84 m (276 ft) and 6 vents and accommodated 64 shops. It was,
however, wholly destroyed by fire on the night of 2 to 3 August 1925. A
more modern bridge was constructed at its place in 1931 only to be
replaced by a reconstruction of Kolyu Ficheto's design in 1981-1982. The
current bridge is 106 m (350 ft) long and has 14 shops, the architect being Zlatev. [link, map]
5. Pont des Marchands, France
The Pont des Marchands is a historic bridge in Narbonne, southern France. It serves as a foundation for a row of houses and shops underneath which the Canal de la Robine runs through the old town.
Its segmental arch has a span of 15 m (50 ft). In Roman times the structure featured as many as six arches. [link, map]
6. Pulteney Bridge, UK
Pulteney Bridge is a bridge that crosses the River Avon, in Bath, England. It was completed in 1773 and is designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.
The bridge was designed
by Robert Adam, whose working drawings are preserved in the Sir John
Soane's Museum, and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops
across the full span on both sides. Shops on the bridge include a flower shop, antique map shop, and juice bar. [link, map]
7. Frome Town Bridge, UK
This inhabited bridge is located in Frome, a town in northeast Somerset, England. Frome Town Bridge was built in 1667. On the bridge is located building with several shops.
Bonus 1: Bridge House, UK
Bridge House in Ambleside,
was built over Stock Ghyll (stream) more than 300 years ago probably as
a summer house and apple store for Ambleside Hall. The building was
purchased by local people in 1926 and given to the National Trust for
Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty.
It is now used as an information centre for the National Trust, and is part of the Trust's Windermere and Troutbeck property. [link]
Bonus 2: The Old Mill, France
A symbol of Vernon (northern France),
the old mill still lies straddling two piers of the ancient bridge over
the Seine. The mill was probably built in the 16th century. It is a
private property belonging to an unknown American heir. The town of
Vernon had the mill renewed a few years ago.
This mill illustrates the postal logo of the city. It has been represented thousands of times by painters, even by Claude Monet. [link, map]
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2. Krämerbrücke, Germany
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3. Pont de Rohan, France
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4. Covered Bridge, Bulgaria
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5. Pont des Marchands, France
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6. Pulteney Bridge, UK
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7. Frome Town Bridge, UK
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Bonus 1: Bridge House, UK
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Bonus 2: The Old Mill, France
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