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Covered bridge in Hertford College, Oxford
| Hertford Bridge | |
|---|---|
_geograph-3610290-by-David-Hallam-Jones.jpg) Hertford Bridge from Catte Street | |
  Location within Oxford city centre | |
| Alternative names | Bridge of Sighs |
| General information | |
| Type | Covered bridge |
| Location | Hertford College, Oxford |
| Coordinates | 51°45′16″N 1°15′14″W / 51.75447°N 1.25389°W / 51.75447; -1.25389 |
| Completed | 1914 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Thomas Graham Jackson |
Hertford Bridge, often called the Bridge of Sighs, is a skyway joining two parts of Hertford College over New College Lane in Oxford, England. Its distinctive design makes it a city landmark.
Misnomer and myth
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The bridge is often referred to as the Bridge of Sighs because of its supposed similarity to the better known Bridge of Sighs in Venice.
There is a false legend saying that many decades ago, a survey of the health of students was taken, and as Hertford College's students were the heaviest, the college closed off the bridge to force them to take the stairs, giving them extra exercise. However, if the bridge is not used, the students actually climb fewer stairs than if they do use the bridge.
Building
The bridge links together the Old and New Quadrangles of Hertford College (to the south and the north respectively), and much of its current architecture was designed by Sir Thomas Jackson. It was completed in 1914, despite its construction being opposed by New College.
The building on the southern side of the bridge houses the college's administrative offices, whereas the northern building is mostly student accommodation. The bridge is always open to members of the college, who can often be seen crossing it. The bridge is Grade II listed.
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See also
References
- Fun Fact (#16) about the Bridge. OxfordCityGuide.com.
- "Notes from Oxford". The Athenaeum. No. 4453. London. 1 March 1913. p. 254. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
Hertford College is to have its Bridge of Sighs at last... if only New College would withdraw its opposition to the scheme.
- "Hertford College, Bridge over New College Lane: A Grade II Listed Building in Oxford, Oxfordshire". British Listed Buildings. UK. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
External links
Media related to Bridge of Sighs (Oxford) at Wikimedia Commons- Photograph and short history on OxfordCityGuide.com
- Photograph from Daily Information
- Bridge of Sighs at Structurae
