European bridges

[Figleaf]

Dutchman builds euro bridges
30 juni 2011, Peter Hooghiemstra

The most famous bridges in Europe do not exist. They are on the euro notes, but they are fantasy bridges that were never built. But that will change: the Dutchman Robin Stam is building the seven imaginary bridges in reality.

In January 2002, the European Union introduced its own currency, the euro. The seven notes (5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500) were designed by the Austrian Robert Kalina.

Openness and cooperation
On one side of the notes are windows and doors from all periods of European cultural history: classical, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, iron and glass and modern. The windows and gateways symbolize openness and cooperation in Europe.

There are bridges on the other side. Initially they were meant to be real bridges like the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam and the Pont Neuf in Paris. But that was asking for trouble. There are only seven different banknotes, not enough for a bridge from each EU country. In the European Union, people are easily offended.

Communications
The bridges are intended instead as a symbol of close cooperation and communication between Europe and between Europe and the rest of the world. To prevent jealousy and arguments, Brussels chose to depict fictitious bridges.

Almost ten years later they will become real bridges, that you can pass underneath with your boat or that you can walk or bike across. All seven will be built over a canal running around a new neighborhood in Spijkenisse (south of Rotterdam).

Joke
Basically it's a joke that ran out of hand by the young designer and artist Robin Stam from Rotterdam. But the city of Spijkenisse was very enthusiastic about the joke: Stam could build the bridges.

Just to make sure, Stam asked the Dutch Central Bank and the European Central Bank in Frankfurt whether they had objections to the project. They gave him the green light. Apparently it is no problem that eventually, all bridges are going to be in the Netherlands.

All 7
The first two bridges are now almost finished. They are on the 10 euro note - a red bridge in Romanesque style - and the fifty euro note, an orange renaissance bridge. Next will be the bridge on the 200 euro note, a yellow-brown bridge of glass and iron.

In the years to come, the four remaining bridges will be constructed: a gray classical style bridge (on the 5 euro note), a gothic-style blue bridge (20 euro), a green baroque and rococo style bridge (100 euro) and a purple 20th-21th century bridge (500 euro).

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Picture: Robin Stam

[chrisild]

Hmm, do these images show the actual bridges? According to the article, the first two bridges, almost finished, are the €10 and €50 constructions. However, the first one (green) looks like a "5 euro bridge" to me http://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/banknotes/shared/img/5eurore_HR.jpg to me while the second one (yellow) stems from the "200 euro bridge" http://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/banknotes/shared/img/200eurore_HR.jpg methinks. Still a fun idea. Guess that, also due to the colors used, people will immediately say, hey, these are the bridges from the euro notes.

Christian

[chrisild]

Ah, my question has been answered. Seems that those two are still planned or under construction. This one however (first photo for example) looks quite real: http://www.architectenweb.nl/aweb/redactie/redactie_detail.asp?iNID=26568

Christian

[Figleaf]

Right. Two bridges will be constructed immediately, the rest as the new quarter of Spijkenisse grows. The pictures are clever architect's impressions. I made a note to take a look there a year from now.

Peter