South Bridge, from the Cowgate

Category

Library Item

Item no

18727

Title

South Bridge, from the Cowgate

Description

The stone archway of South Bridge crosses over the Cowgate below.

Artist / maker

Shepherd, Thomas Hosmer

Date

1829

Size

9.6 x 6.9 cm

Type

Engraving

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image comes from 'Modern Athens', a book of engravings based on drawings by Thomas Shepherd published in 1829. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries Edinburgh was growing rapidly. The popular neoclassical architectural style of the time was inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and Edinburgh was nicknamed 'Athens of the North'. Shepherd's engravings celebrate the beauty of Edinburgh and show many notable buildings and streets both within the city, and further afield.

South Bridge runs from the High Street towards the Southside of Edinburgh crossing over the steep gully in which the Cowgate is situated. It is a nineteen arch viaduct, although only the one arch through which the Cowgate passes is visible. Designed by architect Robert Kay it was completed in 1788. The bridge was widened in 1929.

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Related subjects

Animals > Mammals > Horses

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Architecture > Architectural features > Railings

Places > Edinburgh areas > Old Town

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Stone bridges

Transport > Land > Horse and carts

Transport > Land > Horse and riders

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