Arcadia bridge rich with history
It was declared a National Monument under old National Monuments Council legislation on 31 December 1981.
Many a resident in Arcadia walks on a monument every day without realising it.
Most people pass the Lions Bridge situated on Helen Joseph Street, in Arcadia, without taking much notice.
They actually walk on a national monument site when crossing the bridge.
Its design dates back to 1894.
Percy Hadebe, an art student at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) said he had never realised that this was a national monument site.
“I see homeless people using the bridge to wash, I never thought it was an important bridge,” he said.
The bridge was designed by the department of public works under the guidance of Sytze Wierda, according to SA History Online (SAHO).
Sytze Wierda was born in the Netherlands and was renowned as the first Government architect and engineer for the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR).
SAHO said in the 14 years he worked for the government, he and his team developed the Republican Style (also known as Eclectic Wilhelmiens), designing numerous significant buildings.
“His exact town of birth is disputed and even his architectural education is unclear, though it is known that he was originally schooled to be a carpenter,” says SAHO.
“The suburb Wierdapark in Centurion is named after him.”
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The bridge was declared a national monument under old National Monuments Council legislation on 31 December 1981.
The bridge was built by JJ Kirkness and was officially opened by President Kruger on 11 June 1894.
It is said to be the oldest existing bridge over the Apies River and the only such structure remaining from the ZAR era in the centre of Pretoria.
The bridge, The ‘Leeubrug’, was built larger and stronger than the previous bridge Arcadia Bridge to better withstand floods.
“It is unclear where the name comes from but suggestions are that it possibly came from the number of lions that were hunted in that area at the time or from the lions on the ZAR coat of arms,” according to SAHO.
The bronze lions are said to have been made in Scotland and originally there were also two gas lamps on each side of the bridge.
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