London’s Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable bridge in the world. Its Victorian Gothic results from a law that forced the designers to create a structure that would be in harmony with the Tower of London. It is nearby the Tower Bridge.

Plans for the Tower Bridge were devised around 1876, when a bridge across the Thames in that area of the city seemed a necessity, and the east of London became crowded.

The bridge, designed by Horace Jones (a city architect) in collaboration with John Wolfe Barry, was completed in 1894. Nearly 450 workers were involved in the construction of the 265 metres long. It took 11,000 tons of steel to build the framework. At the time, many people disliked its Victorian Gothic design, but over time the bridge became one of London’s most famous symbols.

Each deck is more than 30 metres wide. The bridge can be opened to let the boat pass. It used to open almost fifty times a day but nowadays it is only used one thousand times a year. Bridge lifts are programmed, so visitors can check the bridge’s website to find out when it will rise and lower.

For visitors, there is a novelty. In 2014 glass floors were installed in the walkways, giving visitors another unusual view from the bridge. It is particularly fascinating to see the bridge open and close below your feet.