Marco Polo Bridge
Lugou Bridge 盧溝橋 | |
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Fengtai District, Beijing | |
Other name(s) | Marco Polo Bridge |
Characteristics | |
Total length | 266.5 m |
Width | 9.3 m |
No. of spans | 11 |
Piers in water | 10 |
History | |
Construction end | 1192 (original bridge) 1698 (reconstruction) |
Location | |
Marco Polo Bridge | |
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Hanyu Pinyin | Lúgōu Qiáo |
Wade–Giles | Lu-kou Chiao |
The Marco Polo Bridge or Lugou Bridge (
The Marco Polo Bridge is well known because it was highly praised by the
In recent years, the water of Yongding River has been diverted to different areas of Beijing, so there is often no water under the bridge.[citation needed]
Names
The name "Marco Polo Bridge" derives from the appearance, before its reconstruction, in Marco Polo's book of travels, where he praised it highly. The names "Lugou" or "Lukou Bridge" and "Lugouqiao" or "Lukouchiao" derive from Lugou, a former name of the Yongding.[2] In old bilingual plates, the bridge was also named as "Lu Kow Kiao".[3]
History
This section includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2023) |
Over this river there is a very fine stone bridge, so fine indeed, that it has very few equals in the world.
Construction of the original bridge on this site commenced in 1189, the final year of Emperor Shizong of Jin's reign and was completed under his successor in 1192. Following damage from a flooding, the bridge was reconstructed under the Kangxi Emperor of the Qing dynasty in 1698.
The bridge was highly praised by the
The bridge was also the location of the
Following the
Structure
This section includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (January 2023) |
The Marco Polo Bridge is 266.5 meters (874 ft) in length and 9.3 m (30.5 ft) in width, supported on 10 piers and 11 segmental arches.[note 1] Hundreds of artistically unique stone lions from different eras line both sides of the bridge. The most intriguing feature of these beasts is the fact that there are more lions hiding on the head, back or under the belly or on paws of each of the big lions. Investigations to determine the total number of animals have been carried out on several occasions but the results have proved inconsistent, ranging anywhere from 482 to 501. However, record has it that there were originally a total of 627 lions. The posture of each lion varies, as do their ages. Most date from the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, some are from the earlier Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), while the few lions dating from as long ago as the Jin dynasty (1115–1234) are now quite rare.
Four ornamental columns each 4.65 m (15 ft) high and a white marble
As well as being famed for its aesthetic features, Marco Polo Bridge is also considered to be an architectural masterpiece. It is built of granite, with a large central arch flanked by ten smaller ones. Each of the ten piers is protected by triangular iron pillars that have been installed to prevent damage by flood and ice.
See also
Notes
- ^ The number of "legs", or piers, is correct here, even though with X arches one would expect X+1 piers. The "discrepancy" is that each end, or abutment, does not count as a pier. Were they to be counted, one would have the proper number of piers (12) for the 11 arches mentioned.
References
- ISBN 978-1740599153.
- ISBN 9783662452721..
- ^ "Chinese & English bilingual sign 'Lu Kow Kiao', Soldier standing w/..." Getty Images..
- ^ "Five-Pavilion Bridge", Official site (in Chinese), Yangzhou: Slender West Lake Scenic Spot, 2023.
External links
- Marco Polo Bridge at Structurae
- Marco Polo Bridge at China.org.cn
- Marco Polo Bridge at Travel China