Description of the attraction
The city of Chester stands on the River Dee. The stone dam on the river has been preserved since the 11th century. It was built on the site of a dam to provide water to water mills, and at the beginning of the 20th century - a hydroelectric power station. Just behind the dam is the Old Dee Bridge (Old Dee Bridge). The first bridge on this site was built by the Romans and existed until the Norman conquest. At the end of the XIV century, the bridge was completely rebuilt in stone, the local red sandstone was used for construction, and in this form the bridge has survived to this day. This is an arched bridge, it has seven spans, all of different lengths.
In the 19th century, one bridge became insufficient for the city, and in 1832 the Grosvenor Bridge was built. This bridge is also of an arched type, but one-span. It was inaugurated by Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Duchess of Kent, and Princess Alexandrina Victoria of Kent, future Queen Victoria.
The architect of the bridge, Thomas Harrison, unfortunately did not live to see the opening of his bridge. He died in 1829 and construction was completed under the supervision of his student, William Cole.
Much of Chester's land belongs to the Duke of Westminster. The Duke of Westminster is a title, and the family name of the Duke is Grosvenor, which explains the name of the Grosvenor Bridge, as well as the Grosvenor Park and Hotel.
There is another bridge in the city, only a pedestrian one - this is the Queen Park suspension bridge.
