PONT ALEXANDRE III

Description

Essentials about Pont Alexandre III in brief

Paris has many bridges spanning the Seine. But probably the most beautiful is the Pont Alexandre III, arguably the most impressive and bold arch bridge of its era. Built for the Paris International Exposition in 1900, the bridge connects the Esplanade des Invalides on the south side of the Seine with the Grand Palais and Petit Palais buildings on the north side of the river, which were also rebuilt for the Exposition. The name of the bridge commemorates the Russian tsar Alexander III, who had suggested a defensive alliance with France at the end of the 19th century.

The architecture of Pont Alexandre III

Because of its location, Pont Alexandre III had to meet two requirements: On the one hand, the bridge had to be as flat as possible so as not to obstruct the view of the Invalides Cathedral, but on the other hand, it still had to have sufficient height to allow ships to pass on the Seine, which also had to be unobstructed by piers in the river. This was only possible by means of a steel arch bridge supported just above the waterline on large abutments hidden in the flood bed on both banks.

The actual steel arch bridge has a span of 107.5 meters and a width of 40 meters. Because of the good panoramic view from Pont Alexandre III of the Seine, Grand Palais and Petit Palais, Hôtel des Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, the bridge is a popular spot for photographers during the day and at night.

The decorative elements of Pont Alexandre III

The beauty of the bridge is created by the many decorative elements that hide the steel elements of the structure. The visible part of the bridge is delimited by four 17-meter-high pylons, each of which is topped by a gilded bronze figure about four meters high. It represents a winged Pegasus being tamed by a Fama, the goddess of glory. At the base of the pylons are stone statues representing personifications of France at different eras.

In the squares in front of each pylon is a sculpture of a lion led by a child. Behind the pylons, five-armed cast-iron candelabra with putti mark the transition to the balustrade, which is articulated by a row of three-armed candelabra. Next to the roadway are more cast-iron street lamps. The apex of the arch is adorned by a coat of arms of Paris surrounded by nymphs of the Seine on one side and a coat of arms of Russia guarded by nymphs of the Neva on the other. The outer arches are covered by garlands hanging from support to support and by cast-iron decorations.