Bishop Bridge, Medieval stone bridge in Norwich, England
Bishop Bridge is a stone arch crossing over the River Wensum in Norwich, constructed from local materials with multiple spans and supporting projections. The structure was designed as a fortified passage that controlled movement between different parts of the medieval city.
Construction of the bridge began around 1340 as part of Norwich's development of city defenses. The original design included a gatehouse with defensive towers that served as a checkpoint for those entering the city.
The bridge sits between the medieval cathedral and open countryside, reflecting Norwich's historical divide between the sacred precinct and the wider landscape beyond.
The bridge connects the Cathedral precinct on one side to open countryside on the other and is easy to reach on foot from the city center. Both approaches offer good views of the structure and the river below.
Two semicircular recesses carved into the western side mark where the gatehouse towers once stood. These hollows reveal the depth and solidity of the medieval masonry beneath.
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