The Iron Bridge (Ironbridge Gorge)

Cast iron bridge that crosses the river Severn in the small town of Ironbridge.

As the first of its kind it inspired the widespread use of iron as a bridge construction material.

"In order to transport his goods, ironworks owner Abraham Darby III sought an architect to build him a sturdy bridge made of "stone, brick, or wood" across the five-kilometer-wide Severn Valley in central England. Thomas Pritchard accepted the challenge, but he built a cast iron bridge, the completion of which in 1781 marked the beginning of the new "Iron Age." It was the largest free-floating bridge structure of its time. Built at the most prominent high point in the valley, the Iron Bridge became a symbol of the Darbys' industrial power and a monument to the Industrial Revolution."``` With these words, the website for the television series "Treasures of the World - Heritage of Humanity" presents its film contribution (in German) about the UNESCO World Heritage Site "IRON BRIDGE" =>> ardmediathek.de/video/schaetze-der-welt/ironbridge-grossbrittanien-folge-156/3sat/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS83MTUyMDA4