Vauxhall Bridge Vauxhall connects the neighborhoods on the southern coast and in the north of Pimlico. Although both sides of the Thames are modern buildings, the history of crossing this place goes back centuries.

Archaeological research has shown that even 3,500 years ago there was a large oak bridge. Then stationary crossing was not very long, the locals used the ferry, and in 1816 joined the local bank of the first iron bridge in London. At first it was called the Regent Bridge, but then renamed Vauxhall. Prior to 1879 he was paid. People pay to get to the train station "Nine Elms" (later abandoned), or to the gardens of Vauxhall. (There is a theory that the name of these gardens was the Russian word 'station'.)

Vauxhall Gardens were very popular - it offers plenty of entertainment, including balloon flights. Standing on the bridge, a crowd of onlookers stared at the rising ball. At the same bridge in September 1844 it gathered a huge number of people who watched the unprecedented spectacle - Mr. Barry clown from the circus "Amphitheatre Astley" started sailing down the Thames in a trough, towed by two geese.

By the end of the XIX century Vauxhall Bridge piers were too worn. The new draft pyatiarochnogo steel bridge designed by engineer Sir Alexander Binnie, caused outrage architects. They called the project has gone, too functional, predicted that foreigners would sneer at him, regretted that the architects were not consulted.

Nevertheless, the new Vauxhall Bridge was built for this project. Bridge really lacked decorative elements, and it was decided to put on the piers monumental sculptures. Eight statues and works of Alfred Drury Frederick Pomeroy symbolize agriculture, architecture, engineering, ceramics, science, fine arts, local government and education. They look weird. Powerful (each weighs about two tons) bronze figures are above the piers from the river in the frame, most similar to the open coffin. Framing dark red, blue pedestals for sculptures. In general, the construction is painted in very bright red, yellow, blue, orange and white colors - perhaps this is the most fun a bridge in London.

Vauxhall Bridge was the first bridge in the city with the tramway, the first with a dedicated bus lanes, and almost became the first and only modern bridge with houses. In 1963 he considered the option of building seven-story structure on the lower floor which went to automobiles, would be placed at the top of the roller and the hanging gardens, and in the middle - shops, a hotel, gallery and theater. Due to the high cost of the tempting offer refused, and Vauxhall Bridge was a bridge.

Now there is no longer polyubueshsya clowns in a trough with geese, but you can see how from the shore of the Thames leaves bright yellow car so-called "duck tour" (ie trips to amphibians). "Ducks" go to the south side of the bridge - where there is an unusual building MI-6 and the huge complex "St George Wharf."