See how Blackfriars Bridge London changed between 1762 and 2024. Drag the slider to compare the historic photograph with the modern view.
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In 1769, Blackfriars Bridge, designed by Robert Mylne, became London's third Thames crossing, easing congestion on the ancient London Bridge and Westminster Bridge. This 995-foot toll bridge featured nine semi-elliptical Portland stone arches in an Italianate style. Initially named "William Pitt Bridge" after the Prime Minister, it was soon colloquially known as Blackfriars Bridge, referencing the nearby Dominican priory. The toll booths were destroyed during the Gordon Riots of 1780. By 1860, the bridge's deteriorating condition led to its dismantling. The current bridge, opened by Queen Victoria in 1869, was designed by Joseph Cubitt and is the widest Thames crossing at 105 feet. In 1982, it gained notoriety when Roberto Calvi, an Italian banker, was found hanged from one of its arches. (en.wikipedia.org)
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