Fortified  Bridges

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In many conflicts, bridges have been among the structures to be destroyed, either early on, by bombing, to disrupt communications, or later, in retreat, to delay oncoming troops.  The ancient Romans built their bridges with small ratios of span to width of piers, making destruction difficult without demolishing each arch individually.  So bridges are naturally among the structures that are well guarded.  The transitions from tents, to huts, to guard houses built into a bridge would be natural in cases where threats were frequent over a long period.

The links below lead to pictures or descriptions of some of the well known examples of fortified bridges.

Besalu Besalu

Cappiano

Castelvecchio

Cesky Krumlov

Kaysersberg Kaysersberg

Monmouth Monmouth

Mulvian bridge

Orthez Orthez

Paris

Pont Douve

Puente del Cadi

Rouen

Sidon

Sieradz

Tarouca

Ucanha

ValentrĂ© – Cahors

Warkworth