Late afternoon at the Monnow Bridge

The fortified gatehouse on the medieval bridge over the River Monnow at Monmouth is a subject I look at each time we visit the Welsh town. However, on a recent afternoon the details of the tower and archways were subdued as we walked towards the brightness of the descending sun. And, as is often the way in winter, the silhouette, shadows and the attendant colours, people and birds became key subjects in the photograph. 

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

Monnow Bridge gatehouse, Monmouth

Over the years I've taken several photographs of the Monnow bridge gatehouse in Monmouth. It is one of ony two remaining medieval fortified bridges in Britain and has been the subject of artists down the centuries. On a recent visit, as we passed over the bridge, I took this quick snap, prompted by the cloud of feral pigeons swirling around the roof of the gatehouse. There are usually pigeons to be seen on the building and I'm sure many use it as a nest site. They contributed something vital and transient to this view of the bridge and prompted me to ignore the view I usually choose (see here and here).

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10

Medieval fortified bridge, Monmouth

The medieval bridge over the River Monnow in Monmouth, Wales, is one of only two remaining examples in Britain that is fortified (the other is at Warkworth, Northumberland). It links parts of the town at a point about 500 metres above the Monnow's confluence with the River Wye. Building began in 1272 to replace a timber bridge. It remains in use today as a pedestrian bridge and in the intervening years it has been used as a toll gate, gaol, munitions store, lodge and support for advertising hoardings! It was a subject much loved by seventeenth and eighteenth century artists and notable works depicting it were produced by Turner and Cotman.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100