In March 1870, a Western-style iron bridge, the
second largest in Osaka and 5th largest in Japan at that time, was
built over the Nagahori River in Minami Ward. The bridge was named
"Shinsaibashi." The bridge was 37.1 meters long and 5.2 meters wide.
It was made in Germany and supported by huge arch girders.
The original Shinsaibashi was replaced by a second bridge, but many
people asked to save the original bridge, because it was one of
few structures made in Meiji Era. In 1973, its 100th anniversary,
the original bridge was reconstructed. This is the one also rebuilt
in Tsurumi Ryokuchi in March of 1989.
The bridge is now used only by pedestrians. It was revived as a
"bridge for the citizens," connecting the western exit of Tsurumi
Ryokuchi and the green space in the area. People walk on the bridge,
but there are few opportunities to look at the bridge itself from
a distance. Why not go a little further from the bridge to take
in the entire scene? |
