The head of William Wallace was the first to appear on the gate, in 1305, starting a tradition that was to continue for another 355 years. The southern gatehouse, the Stone Gateway, became the scene of one of London's most notorious sights: a display of the severed heads of traitors, stuck on pikes and dipped in tar to preserve them. The spiked heads of executed traitors and criminals are above the Southwark gatehouse. Shows Old London Bridge, with Southwark Cathedral in the foreground. Medieval bridge Įngraving by Claes Van Visscher, 1616. The new town and bridge were built around the position of the present bridge, providing access to the south-coast ports via Stane Street (the A3 route) and Watling Street (the A2). Some of the 2nd-century Roman wall has survived to this day. The victory was short-lived, and soon afterwards the Romans defeated the rebels and set about building a new walled town.

The settlement and the bridge were destroyed in a revolt led by Queen Boudicca in 60 AD. The first bridge across the Thames in the London area, probably a military pontoon bridge, was built of wood by the Romans on the present site around 50 AD.Īround 59 AD, a piled bridge was constructed, and the local Britons built a small trading settlement next to it-the town of Londinium. History Roman bridge Ī bridge has existed at or near the present site over the period from the Roman occupation of the area, nearly 2,000 years ago.

The name London Bridge is often mistakenly applied to Tower Bridge, which is the next bridge downstream. The bridge carries part of the A3 road, which is maintained by the Greater London Authority the bridge itself is owned and maintained by a charity overseen by the City of London Corporation. The current bridge opened on 17th March 1973 and is the latest in a succession of bridges to occupy the spot and claim the name.

It was previously the only bridge over the Thames downstream from Kingston until Putney Bridge opened in 1729. On the north side are the Monument to the Great Fire of London and Monument tube station. On the south side of the bridge are Southwark Cathedral and London Bridge station. It is between Cannon Street Railway Bridge and Tower Bridge. It is in central London, and connects the City of London with Southwark. London Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames.

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