JayMHooper
The Palladian Bridge. James Gibbs 1738
The Palladian Bridge 1738
One of three similar bridge design. This is a copy of the bridge at Wilton House, the main difference is that the Stowe version is designed to be used by horse drawn carriages so is set lower with shallow ramps instead of steps on the approach. Completed in 1738 probably under the direction of Architect James Gibbs. Of five arches, the central wide and segmental with carved keystone, the two flanking semi-circular also with carved keystones, the two outer segmental. There is a balustraded parapet, the middle three arches also supporting an open pavilion, above the central arch this consists of colonnades of four full and two half columns of unfluted Roman Ionic order. Above the flanking arches there are pavilions with arches on all four sides, these have engaged columns on their flanks and ends of the same order as the colonnade which in turn support pediments, the roof is of slate, with an elaborate plaster ceiling. It originally crossed a stream that emptied from the Octagon Lake, when the lake was enlarged and deepened, made more natural in shape in 1752, this part of the stream became a branch of the lake.
The Palladian Bridge. James Gibbs 1738
The Palladian Bridge 1738
One of three similar bridge design. This is a copy of the bridge at Wilton House, the main difference is that the Stowe version is designed to be used by horse drawn carriages so is set lower with shallow ramps instead of steps on the approach. Completed in 1738 probably under the direction of Architect James Gibbs. Of five arches, the central wide and segmental with carved keystone, the two flanking semi-circular also with carved keystones, the two outer segmental. There is a balustraded parapet, the middle three arches also supporting an open pavilion, above the central arch this consists of colonnades of four full and two half columns of unfluted Roman Ionic order. Above the flanking arches there are pavilions with arches on all four sides, these have engaged columns on their flanks and ends of the same order as the colonnade which in turn support pediments, the roof is of slate, with an elaborate plaster ceiling. It originally crossed a stream that emptied from the Octagon Lake, when the lake was enlarged and deepened, made more natural in shape in 1752, this part of the stream became a branch of the lake.