Kipdorpbrug, 16th-century bridge in central Antwerp, Belgium.
Kipdorpbrug is a 16th-century bridge in central Antwerp connecting streets including Kipdorpvest, Jezusstraat, and Lange Nieuwstraat. Archaeological remains visible beneath the structure show evidence of the medieval fortifications that once stood at this location.
Construction began in 1542 as part of the Spanish city walls ordered by Emperor Charles V. Italian architect Donato Di Boni designed this bridge as a key defensive element for the expanding city.
Buildings surrounding the bridge display 19th-century architecture with ornate facades and wooden shop fronts at ground level. Walking across reveals how the area developed as a busy commercial and residential neighborhood over time.
The bridge functions as a major traffic junction with pedestrian paths offering views of the archaeological layer beneath. You can walk across and see the excavated foundations and wall remnants from street level.
Excavations beneath the bridge uncovered a large sword from the 16th or 17th century, revealing the military importance of this location. This find provides a rare glimpse into the combat and defensive practices of that era.
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