Did you notice the kissing couples on the Chamberlain Bridge? It is a sort of tradition. The bridge over the Careenage River was constructed even before Barbados settlement by the people from the mainland. Of course, now we can see a 39-foot bridge, decorated with a beautiful Arch of Independence. Come closer and look at this miracle of engineering. The architects also did a great job. The bridge was replaced on a new one, but the couples have been still visiting it.
Initially, the bridge was wooden. It was built by the indigenous people of Arawaki. That is why it was called the Indian Bridge. When the British landed on Barbados, they decided to replace the bridge. It did not go with their trade and development. In the 17th century, they began the construction of a new bridge. It was there for almost 200 years.
In the 19th century, it was decided to develop Bridgetown and take large ships. So, the builders were constructing a new drawbridge for large vessels. It was built on Joseph Chamberlain's money. The name was given in honor of this person.
Locals love this place a lot. It seems that the bridge was built with love. It gives people work and trading in the city. Tourists come here to walk.
It is so nice to walk along the Bridgetown quay. It seems that you come to a small southern European town from an island in the Caribbean. And the large arch at the beginning of the bridge looks like a French one.
Each colony wants to have independence. Barbados also tried to have freedom for a long time. And it got the freedom. The Chamberlain Bridge and the entire complex around are a symbol of independence. The bridge was built when people have just started to think about freedom. The arch was installed in honor of the 21st anniversary of independence.
The bridge is not only a symbol of independence but a symbol of the entire city. If there were no Chamberlain Bridge, there would be no Bridgetown. The basis “bridge” in the name of the city is not accidental. The city was renamed before the construction of the bridge.
When the British decided to replace the old bridge to a new one, and construction began, the city was named in honor of St. Michael. But the new name was not taken, it was too long. That time, the city was associated with a new bridge. After a while, the new name has been fixed – Bridgetown.
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