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The Old Bridge ( cy, Yr Hen Bont) is a medieval two
The Old Bridge replaced an earlier medieval structure spanning the River Ogmore. The name of Bridgend in Welsh is ''Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr'', which means "the head of the bridge on the Ogmore". 
The bridge was last used by motor vehicles in 1920. In 2005 the bridge was
arched
An arch is a vertical curved structure that spans an elevated space and may or may not support the weight above it, or in case of a horizontal arch like an arch dam, the hydrostatic pressure against it.
Arches may be synonymous with vaul ...
stone footbridge
A footbridge (also a pedestrian bridge, pedestrian overpass, or pedestrian overcrossing) is a bridge designed solely for pedestrians.''Oxford English Dictionary'' While the primary meaning for a bridge is a structure which links "two points at a ...
that spans the River Ogmore
The River Ogmore ( cy, Afon Ogwr) is a river in South Wales that is popular with anglers. It runs generally from north to south from the Ogmore Vale and Gilfach Goch, past Bridgend and Ogmore. The River Ogmore rises at Craig Ogwr (527 m) in the ...
at Bridgend
Bridgend (; cy, Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr or just , meaning "the end of the bridge on the Ogmore") is a town in Bridgend County Borough in Wales, west of Cardiff and east of Swansea. The town is named after the Old Bridge, Bridgend, medieval bridge ...
in Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...
. It is not known who designed or built the bridge, however it was built in approximately 1425. The bridge was repaired in 1775 and restored both in 2005 and 2011. The bridge is a scheduled ancient monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change.
The various pieces of legislation that legally protect heritage assets from damage and d ...
and a grade II* listed bridge.
History and construction
The Old Bridge replaced an earlier medieval structure spanning the River Ogmore. The name of Bridgend in Welsh is ''Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr'', which means "the head of the bridge on the Ogmore". Pilgrim
A pilgrim (from the Latin ''peregrinus'') is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) who is on Pilgrimage, a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journey (often on foot) to some place of special significance to the a ...
s would have used the bridge to cross the River Ogmore on their way to St David's Cathedral
St Davids Cathedral ( cy, Eglwys Gadeiriol Tyddewi) is situated in St DavidsBritain's smallest city in the county of Pembrokeshire, near the most westerly point of Wales.
Early history
The monastic community was founded by Saint David, Abbot ...
.
The stone bridge is believed to have been built around 1425 with five-spans. It is not known who designed and built the bridge. The five-span structure had three river arches and smaller flood arches on each bank. On 21 August 1775, the western pier had been demolished due to a flood, which partially destroyed two arches on that side of the bridge. The arches were then rebuilt as a single arch of double span.
The two visible arches span on the western side and on the eastern side of the bridge. A third arch is only visible in the rear yard of an office building, built around 1830. In early 2015, the fourth arch of bridge was discovered for the first time in hundreds of years within Cariads Cwtch Apothecary 12 Dunraven Place. It was found behind a wall in the basement of the same office.A small port hole has been made by Cariads Cwtch Apothecary to be able to see part of the old stone Bridge structure in the property
The bridge was last used by motor vehicles in 1920. In 2005 the bridge was restored
''Restored'' is the fourth
studio album by American contemporary Christian music musician Jeremy Camp. It was released on November 16, 2004 by BEC Recordings.
Track listing
Standard release
Enhanced edition
Deluxe gold edition
Standard ...
and again in 2011 with its cobbled footway relaid using traditional lime mortar
Lime mortar or torching is composed of lime and an aggregate such as sand, mixed with water. The ancient Egyptians were the first to use lime mortars, which they used to plaster their temples. In addition, the Egyptians also incorporated various ...
. The bridge now has statutory protection as a scheduled ancient monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change.
The various pieces of legislation that legally protect heritage assets from damage and d ...
(GM049) and grade II* listed structure. It is still used as a footbridge
A footbridge (also a pedestrian bridge, pedestrian overpass, or pedestrian overcrossing) is a bridge designed solely for pedestrians.''Oxford English Dictionary'' While the primary meaning for a bridge is a structure which links "two points at a ...
with the width of the bridge being .
See also
*List of bridges in Wales
This list of bridges in Wales lists bridges of particular historical, scenic, architectural or engineering interest in Wales. Road and railway bridges, viaducts, aqueducts and footbridges are included.
List
Bridges are listed under the names us ...
* Old Bridge for other bridges with the same name.
References
External links
* {{commonscat-inline, Old Bridge, Bridgend Bridges completed in 1425 Arch bridges in the United Kingdom Grade II* listed buildings in Bridgend County Borough Stone bridges in the United Kingdom Pedestrian bridges in Wales Scheduled monuments in Wales Buildings and structures in Bridgend Grade II* listed bridges in Wales