Tower Bridge today celebraties its 120th birthday and is still one of London's best known landmarks, attracting thousands of tourists each year.
The suspension bridge over River Thames, which took eight years to complete, was officially opened on 30 June 1894 by The Prince of Wales, who later became King Edward VII.
Construction started on the iconic landmark in 1886 with the two huge piers containing over 70,000 tons of concrete. Five different contractors worked on the bridge during the construction with over 400 workers employed on the site.
The iconic building is 244 meters in length with two towers each standing at 65 meters high. The distance between the towers is split into two equal bascules, which can be raised to an angle of 86 degrees and allows the traffic on the river to pass under the bridge.
In 1910, the walkways on the bridge, which were designed so that the public could still cross the river when it was raised, were closed down due to lack of use. To this day Tower Bridge is still one of the most visited and iconic buildings in London.
Tower Bridge Construction
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Open Image Modal1886 The first pier starts to take shape over the River Thames
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Open Image Modal1889 Three years in to the project, the construction is taking shape (credit:English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalThe construction of Tower Bridge, London which was completed in 1894. (credit:London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images)
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Open Image Modal1893 Tower Bridge construction continues. (credit:Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalBoats are docked on the River Thames with Tower Bridge in the background (credit:Royal Photographic Society/Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalHuge vessels are seen alongside the iconic bridge (credit:Royal Photographic Society/Getty Images)
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Open Image Modal1893 View of Tower Bridge as building continues with river traffic in the foreground (credit:Getty Images)
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Open Image Modal1893 Tower Bridge in London, nearing completion. (credit:London Stereoscopic Company/Getty Images)
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Open Image Modal1893 The construction of Tower Bridge was begun in 1886 to designs by Sir Horace Jones and it opened in 1894. (credit:Guildhall Library & Art Gallery/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalConstruction is nearing completion. The bridge is an example of a bascule bridge, where the central section can be opened drawbridge-style to enable shipping to pass through. (credit:Russell and Sons/SSPL/Getty Images)
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Open Image ModalPutting the finishing touches (credit:he British Library/Robana/Getty Images)
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Open Image Modal1890 Some of the workmen involved in the building of Tower Bridge pose for a group portrait. (credit:Mansell/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)