London bridge dubbed ‘a wonder of the world’ that the city ‘lost’ 192 years ago

For visitors to the capital, London Bridge is often confused with the city’s iconic Tower Bridge. However, despite not boasting the same regal design, London Bridge is a vital crossing that supports economic activity.

But once upon a time, the Bridge wasn’t simply a crossing to support trade on each bank of the Thames – it was a commercial hub in its own right.

Construction of the first London Bridge started in 1176, and according to English Heritage, it was the only stone crossing over the Thames for centuries.

Not only was the Bridge an economic centre, but it was also a residential structure with people’s homes built upon it.

When it was painted by Dutch artist Claude de Jongh in 1630, it spanned over 900 feet, making it the longest inhabited bridge in Europe.

The structure was started by Peter, the Bridge Master, and took 30 years to build.

Despite being made of stone, the bridge also had plenty of wooden buildings. It was, therefore, fortunate to survive the Great Fire of London in 1666.

By the 1700s, the bridge was considered outdated and rundown. However, a new Bridge was not constructed until 1824.

By this time, the houses and shops had been removed to widen the road.

The new bridge, which still stands today, was finished in 1831, and the original bridge was demolished a year later.