Sewanee Natural Bridge, Natural sandstone arch in Franklin County, Tennessee, United States.
Sewanee Natural Bridge is a natural sandstone arch in Franklin County, Tennessee, rising about 25 feet (7 meters) high and spanning roughly 50 feet (15 meters). The arch sits within forested land belonging to the University of the South in Sewanee.
The arch formed over thousands of years as water gradually wore away the sandstone. The University of the South later acquired the surrounding land and protected the site as a natural area.
The Silver Jews, an indie rock band, named their 1996 album 'The Natural Bridge' after this sandstone arch in Tennessee. The name brought the formation to the attention of a wider audience beyond the local area.
The arch is reached by heading south on Highway 56 from Sewanee and turning onto Natural Bridge Road. The paths around the formation are easiest to walk in dry weather, as the terrain can get slippery after rain.
Behind the arch, a small spring hidden inside a rock cave was the main force that shaped the sandstone over time. Most visitors walk under the arch without noticing this water source tucked into the rock behind it.
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