How was the huge arch bridge in medieval Europe made?



The

Charles Bridge over the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic is a huge stone arch bridge that began construction in 1357 and was completed in 1402. A movie that explains in CG how a huge arch bridge was built in the Middle Ages where heavy machinery does not exist is released on YouTube.

Karlů v most --Stavba pilíře a klenební ho pole ve 14. století --YouTube


From its completion in 1402 to 1841, the Charles Bridge was the only bridge connecting Prague's Old Town and its surroundings and was a very important location for transportation. The Charles Bridge was damaged by floods and other damages many times, but it has been repaired each time, and the article was written during the approximately 20 years of restoration work that began in 2019. However, since the restoration is done in a way that does not obstruct the scenery and passage of the bridge, people are coming and going on the bridge even during the restoration period.


by

Dennis Jarvis

It is lit up at night, and the beautiful scenery is very popular with people.


by

Yuan

The piers of the Charles Bridge are built not only on both banks of the Vltava River but also in the river, suggesting that a very large-scale construction was carried out.


by

Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble

There are no records of detailed construction plans or drawings of the Charles Bridge, the technology used, the number of workers mobilized, etc., but the main construction work begins with the construction of several pillars on the Vltava River. It is believed to have been.



Pass the wood along the hexagonal pillars ...



In addition, we will make a smaller structure inside it.



On top of this, a hammer is installed to drive the pillars using pulleys ...



Along the pillars that were lined up first, the pillars that were deeply driven are lined up closely.



If you line up the pillars on the outside and inside without any gaps ...



Fill the inside with soil. This separates the inside of the structure from the outside river.



Starting from here, we will also make a scaffolding part on the outside.



Next, we installed a water wheel that moves along the river.



We will pump out the water that has accumulated inside.



Create a foundation inside the water pumped out ...



The stones are lined up closely on top of it, and the inside is also filled with fine stones. The sandstone used to build the bridge is said to have been mined near Prague.



Removing the exterior pillars and structures made of soil left a stone foundation in the center of the river. This is the foundation of the pier.



Next, timber is lined up between the pier protruding from the shore and the foundation made in the center of the river ...



I built a wooden bridge.



Arrange the stones that have been cut out tightly without any gaps, and fill the inside with stones.



A large pulley is installed on the pier ...



It seems that the stones transported by ship could be arranged efficiently.



If the piers are quite high ...



Arrange the stones on the outside without any gaps and lay the stones on the inside. At this point, stones are also lined up at the top of the bridge, where people and luggage pass.



Stones are lined up neatly on the piers ...



A huge arch bridge has been completed.



The Charles Bridge built in this way is still popular with many people in the 21st century.



in Video, Posted by log1h_ik