LONDON TOWER BRIDGE

A visit to Tower Bridge Exhibition (permanent exhibition of Tower Bridge) will allow you to understand how the bridge and have a clear picture of its fascinating history.The information below will help you get the most out of your visit.

Originally, London Bridge was the only way to cross the Thames. With the expansion of the city of London, several bridges were built, though all to the west of London Bridge, since the area to the east had become a bustling port. In the nineteenth century, the East End of London was an increase of the population that it is becoming more urgent the creation of a new bridge to the east of London Bridge, as journeys on foot and by public suffered delays of hours. So it was that in 1876 the City of London Corporation, responsible for that part of the Thames, he finally decided that this issue could not be further postponed.

The view that is enjoyed today by Walkways has changed dramatically, though still retains the signs of the incredible history of this area. Thanks to photos and interactive services, visitors to the Tower Bridge Exhibition will get a glimpse of what life was like in the days when the idea was conceived of a new .

The City of London Corporation, however, had to face a major challenge: to build a bridge downstream from London Bridge without compromising the activities related to river traffic. For testing new ideas, was established in 1876 the "Special Bridge or Subway Committee" (Committee for the Special Bridge or Subway "), which gave way to a public tender for the design of the new crossing.

Over 50 designs were submitted to the Committee, some of which are currently on display at the Tower Bridge Exhibition. However, it was only in October 1884 that Horace Jones, the City Architect, in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, offered the project of Tower Bridge as the chosen solution.

It took eight years, five major contractors and the relentless labor of 432 construction workers to build Tower Bridge.

Two large pillars were driven into the river bed to support the construction, while the structure of the Towers and Walkways it took more than 11,000 tons of steel. This skeleton was clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone to protect the underlying steel structure and to give the Bridge a more pleasing appearance.

To learn more about the construction of the Tower Bridge, on the people involved in its construction and why it became so necessary, visit the Tower Bridge Exhibition, where some projections will explain the entire project, including the difficulties encounter

At the time of its construction, the Tower Bridge drawbridge was the most sophisticated and extensive ever made (the English term for a draw (scales) is derived from the French word meaning swing). The parties were lifting driven by hydraulic systems, which used steam to power the enormous motor pumps. The energy produced was stored in six large batteries, so as to be always available when it came to raise the bridge. The accumulators fed the main engines that move the parts up and down. Despite the complexity of the system, were only takes a few minutes to reach the maximum angle of 86 degrees.

Today, the parties are still operated by hydraulic lifting, but since 1976 are supplied with oil and electricity, rather than with steam. The original motor pumps, as well as accumulators and boilers, are now on display in the Tower Bridge Exhibition.

In 1910, the high-level Walkways were closed to the public because rarely used. Those who reached the bridge preferred to wait at street level that this is closed, instead of going up the stairs, maybe carrying heavy loads. Since 1982, as part of the new Tower Bridge Exhibition, visitors to the bridge again have the opportunity to access walkways, completely renovated, and enjoy the panoramic views. Although the Tower Bridge is now powered by oil and electricity, the original steam engines, whose maintenance is entrusted to a dedicated group of technical experts, have remained in their original location, visible to everyone. This is the area of ​​the Victorian Engine Rooms and represents the second section of the Tower Bridge Exhibition. Over the past 28 years, the exhibition has been expanded to keep pace with modern demands without losing the essence of the Victorian era. Through interactive presentations and displays wall and thanks to the experienced guides, visitors will learn about the main events in the history of the bridge, from the visits of the real to some daredevil stunts.