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Writer's pictureMaximus Nostramabus

Ironbridge

Updated: Apr 24, 2022

Symbol of industrial revolution - Ironbridge Gorge 371

Ironbridge
What and Why

The Ironbridge is now derelict and the bridge is nothing impressive by today's standard. However since its heyday, it has carried the accolade of being the first iron bridge in the world. The bridge runs over the deep River Severn, where the deep exposure of the rocks cut through by the gorge exposed commercial deposits of coal, iron ore, limestone and fireclay, which enabled the rapid economic development of the area during the early Industrial Revolution, especially in the region which produces iron. More than a quarter of the iron of England came from the area alone and so was many industrial innovations, as a result of the iron production. Moreover the deep river allowed easy transport of products to the sea. This bridge, built in the late 18th century CE and was the first iron bridge in the world, hence symbolises the Industrial Revolution and the gorge is sometimes referred to the birthplace of Industrial Revolution.

Toponymy

Self-explanatory.

See

Ironbridge

Honestly there is nothing to see and it is one of those UNESCO WHS that I said 'DUH' after I reached the place, in spite of its importance in history. There is this tiny bridge and the river gorge and that is about it. The town is uninteresting, in spite of my interest towards the Industrial Revolution. For information, we are now in the Fourth Industrial Revolution:

Ironbridge Gorge

The museum

The Museum

Museum of the Gorge, Ironbridge: Not the most interesting museum originally the Severn Warehouse, considering the historic importance of the Industrial Revolution. The centrepiece of the museum is a large diorama. This represents the whole of the Gorge, as it was at its industrial height.

Ironbridge Gorge Museum diorama
Getting There and Around

In spite of the its prominence in transportation, the area is very inaccessible without a car, although the area is served by the National Rail at the Ironbridge station. I shall be surprised if you can spend more than an hour around the area.

UNESCO Inscription
UNESCO sign
Ironbridge is known throughout the world as the symbol of the Industrial Revolution. It contains all the elements of progress that contributed to the rapid development of this industrial region in the 18th century, from the mines themselves to the railway lines. Nearby, the blast furnace of Coalbrookdale, built in 1708, is a reminder of the discovery of coke. The bridge at Ironbridge, the world's first bridge constructed of iron, had a considerable influence on developments in the fields of technology and architecture.
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