Morianbron ( sv, Blackamoor Bridge) is a small
bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...
in the gardens of the
Ulriksdal Palace
Ulriksdal Palace ( sv, Ulriksdals slott) is a royal palace situated on the banks of the Edsviken in the Royal National City Park in Solna Municipality, 6 km north of Stockholm. It was originally called ''Jakobsdal'' for its owner Jacob De la ...
in
Solna
Solna Municipality ( sv, Solna kommun or , ) is a municipality in Stockholm County in Sweden, located just north of Stockholm City Centre. Its seat is located in the town of Solna, which is a part of the Stockholm urban area. Solna is one of t ...
,
Sweden
Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...
, named after the pair of sculptures of so-called
blackamoors (e.g. black
Moors
The term Moor, derived from the ancient Mauri, is an exonym first used by Christian Europeans to designate the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a distinct or ...
) standing by the bridge.
Arguably the smallest bridge in the Swedish capital, it also passes over the indeed small stream
Igelbäcken
Igelbäcken ( sv, (the) Leech Stream) is a small stream in northern Stockholm, Sweden. The drainage area, part of the Royal National City Park and divided into several nature reserves, is shared by the municipalities of Järfälla, Sollentuna, S ...
flowing through the gardens. The low wooden bridge is on either side flanked by two bronze sculptures painted in black of two black men dressed in
loincloth
A loincloth is a one-piece garment, either wrapped around itself or kept in place by a belt. It covers the genitals and, at least partially, the buttocks. Loincloths which are held up by belts or strings are specifically known as breechcloth or ...
es pulling a fishing net passing under the bridge. The two sculptures, moulded in the early 19th century by the sculptor Per Lundgren, were brought to the Ulriksdal Palace from the royal gardens at
Hagaparken
Hagaparken ("Haga Park"), or simply Haga in Solna Municipality just north of Stockholm, Sweden, is a vast and popular nature area, with large lawns, woods and gardens.
Description
Hagaparken is located along the western shoreline of Brunnsviken ...
. There, they were standing by the network of canals that once flew through the park.
According to an amusing story, a lady standing on the bridge fell in love with the two men and, not being able to choose between them, threw herself into the stream to end her pang of love.
The anecdote not only suits the
romantic and picturesque environment, it also reflects the fancy for exotic people prevalent during the 18th and early 19th century, typically represented by artists such as
Eugène Delacroix
Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix ( , ; 26 April 1798 – 13 August 1863) was a French Romantic artist regarded from the outset of his career as the leader of the French Romantic school.Noon, Patrick, et al., ''Crossing the Channel: Britis ...
.
See also
*
List of bridges in Stockholm
This is a list of some of the most notable bridges and viaducts in Stockholm, starting with those located closest to the city centre. Many more bridges and viaducts could, of course, be added, including those on the rail and motorway networks, and ...
References
Bridges in Stockholm
Pedestrian bridges in Sweden
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