Category: Monnow Street, Monmouth

Monnow Street, Monmouth

A view from Monnow Street in Monmouth towards Monnow Bridge – the last remaining fortified river bridge in the country. The fortification is a Grade I listed building.
Monmouth was an important border settlement in Roman times (Blestium). However, it seems that the River Monnow did not have a crossing until some time after the Norman conquest. It appears that construction of a Monnow Bridge began in 1272 – this to replace a Norman timber bridge. Over the years, the Monnow Bridge has been used as a jail, a store for munitions, and a toll bridge – among other uses. Tolls were collected through control of the points of entry to the town, including the gatehouse on the bridge.
The bridge was built of red sandstone and was substantially rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries. Heavy traffic use and subsequent damage in the 20th century, together with the building of another bridge, allowed this bridge to be pedestrianised. This photograph was taken in the 1910s. Image: Photographer unknown (1910s)
From approximately the same position in March 2020.
Image: © Steven Miell (TimeViews)
A merged version of the two photographs. Use the slider in the centre.