Saint-Michel Bridge
Pont Saint-Michel, Paris, France
Description:
Saint-Michel Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Paris. It connects Piazza Saint-Michel and the island of Cité and is located near the famous Menial Bridge. The bridge received its name in honor of the chapel of the same name, located nearby.
The original bridge was built on this site in 1378 by architect Gugu Obrio, who was responsible for the construction of the Bastille. The construction of the new bridge was due to the fact that the nearby Small Bridge, built by the ancient Romans, could no longer withstand the increased flow of people and carts, and the city was in dire need of a new transport artery. Almost immediately after the construction of the bridge, merchants began to build their houses and shops on it. All this made the structure more heavy and unstable, besides floods often washed away all the buildings on the bridge.
Capital reconstruction of the St. Michel Bridge became possible only at the end of the XVIII century, when Louis XVI banned the construction of any buildings on the bridges. The last most significant reconstruction of the bridge was carried out in 1850, giving it its modern appearance.