| Actual Image
Bridge Alexandre III (16)
Nolme
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 142 W: 14 N: 524]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif) (3698) | This is the Tsar Nicolas II laid on October 7, 1896 the first stone of this bridge that was to bear the name of Tsar Alexander III. The latter was closer to France for a counterweight to Germany.
This bridge is representative of decorative art and architecture exuberant of the Third Republic. All metal, it will be built in just three years, from 1897 to 1900, by the engineer Jean Résal assisted by Amédée Alby and by architects Cassian Bernard and Gaston Cousin. The Alexandre III bridge will be inaugurated on the occasion of the opening of the Exposition Universelle of 1900.
It is one of the first buildings "prefabricated" the world, its components that have been forged and melted in Creusot factories, then transported by barge before being mounted by a huge crane that covered the entire width of the Seine. The architects will respect the constraints imposed by foreign governments not to butcher the prospect des Invalides to the Concorde and Champs-Elysees. They should also provide a width proportional to that of the current Winston Churchill avenue and reduce the number of arches in order not to interfere with the river traffic.
The bridge, with a width of 40 metres (the broadest measure of Paris), will be built at an angle to stay in the axis of the Esplanade des Invalides. The single arch, 109 meters long, can climb over the Seine in one stolen, without connection central. The main frame consists of fifteen steel arcs cast triple articulation, in order to compensate for expansion efforts, supported against steel bearings attached to abutments.
The bridge has, over its entire length, decoration iron designed to counterbalance. It was built close to the river to lower the level of seriousness. The surbaissement of structure prevents the formation of a donkey. The strings of shells and marine flora suspended under the cornice ensure balance whole. The big key vault, decorated with brass decorations, symbolize Franco-Russian alliance.
The Nymphes of the Seine, downstream, bearing arms Paris, and in the upstream, the Nymphes Néva, those of Russia. They are the work of Georges Récipon, creator of Quadrige du Grand Palais. Fourteen bronze candelabra with three globes overcome the railing. Two columns of 17 square meters in height, near the Grand Palais on the right bank, are topped with statues of gilded bronze equestrian representative Fame taking Pegasus. Sculptures of the same nature appear on the left bank.
In WS: Detail of the key vault |
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