The Town of Monmouth (Wales) was invited, with other towns of Europe that have a built or inhabited bridge, at the first weekend of the 500 years of the Rohan Bridge of Landerne City (Landerneau in French) on May 28-30th. This anniversary will last until September 30th.

Richard Jump and Chris Munslow, town councillors, came as volonteers to promote their town of Monmouth, its bridge, the Monnow Bridge, and their products, primarily beer and cider (1) – they were besides in stock shortage on Sunday… Arrived Friday, May 28th, they would go back next Monday « by Brittany Ferries of course! ».

Settled in the Village Européen des villes pontées, on the Family esplanade along the River Elorn, they were very pleased with the reception by the city, with the contacts along these 3 days, they hope to have also made a good tourist promotion of Monmouth in spite of the gloomy weather. They gave, in the name of their city, their agreement to adhere to the project of a Network of built bridges cities of Europe.

Monmouth, county of Monmouthshire – formerly Gwent, is located at the south-east border between Wales and England, at the confluence of Monnow, Wye and Trothy rivers (voir le site) and (voir le site) page History. Very important commercial crossroads and a location of many battles in the Middle Ages (see the English site of wikipedia: (voir le site) ), it was at first named Abermynwy, in Welsh, the “mouth” of Monnow – the Welsh name of Monnow being Mynwy. Parts of Wye and Monnow courses form the border.

The historian Geoffroy of Monmouth , of the 12th century, author of Historia regum Britanniae is supposed to be born in Monmouth or in the surroundings.

The Monnow Bridge

The only medieval bridge which remains in Great Britain, built at the end of the 13th century. The gate was added on it after 1297, after king Edward 1st authorized the cities to build ramparts and gates to protect and defend themselves. It first comprised crenels at the upper part for a long time. It is only at the XVIIIth century that the municipality decided to repair it and build a “good and sufficient dwelling house” on top. It was thus elevated with a tiled roof. In the XIXth century the city changed and was modernized; at the end of the century the tower and the bridge were consolidated. The old bridge is pedestrian since the construction of a new bridge in 2004.

(1) Beer and cider. The Gatehouse Ale from Kingstone Brewery, and Ty Gwyn cider, the White House Cider.

(voir le site) : the official website of 500 years of the Rohan bridge in French.

Maryvonne Cadiou. Naoned/Nantes

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