Colossus Bridge, Philadelphia

#458 among attractions in Philadelphia

Bridge

Map

Facts and practical information

The Colossus Bridge – also known as Fairmount Bridge, Colossus of Fairmount or Upper Ferry Bridge – was a record-setting timber bridge across the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia. It was built in 1812 by Louis Wernwag, and was considered his finest bridge design. It had a clear span of 340 feet and the longest single-span wooden truss to be erected in the United States as well as the first long span bridge to use iron rods. ()

Coordinates: 39°57'50"N, 75°10'60"W

Address

West Philadelphia (University City)Philadelphia United States

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Day trips

Colossus Bridge – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fairmount Water Works, Rodin Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary.

~920 ftNE
Famed art museum with classic pieces
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia
5 min walk • The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an iconic institution nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, United States. Known for its impressive facade and sweeping steps - made famous by Sylvester Stallone's triumphant run in the movie "Rocky" - the museum is a beacon of culture...
~800 ftN
Museum
Fairmount Water Works, Philadelphia
4 min walk • Nestled along the Schuylkill River in the heart of Philadelphia lies the Fairmount Water Works, a historic site that once served as the primary water pumping station for the city. Today, this National Historic Landmark has been transformed into a museum that not only...
0.5 miE
Famous sculptures by French artist
Rodin Museum, Philadelphia
14 min walk • Nestled within the heart of Philadelphia, the Rodin Museum stands as a testament to the artistic legacy of the famed French sculptor, Auguste Rodin. This cultural gem, which opened its doors in 1929, is home to one of the largest collections of Rodin's works outside of...
0.6 miNE
Historic prison with tours and exhibits
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
17 min walk • The Eastern State Penitentiary, a hauntingly stark structure located in Philadelphia, United States, stands as a monument to a bygone era of penology. Once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, today it operates as a museum, offering a glimpse into the...
~150 ftN
Bridge
Spring Garden Street Bridge, Philadelphia
1 min walk • Spring Garden Street Bridge is a highway bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, that crosses the Schuylkill River below Fairmount Dam. It connects West Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. It is the fourth bridge at this location.
~1180 ftE
Monuments and statues, Park
Eakins Oval, Philadelphia
6 min walk • Eakins Oval is a traffic circle in Philadelphia. It forms the northwest end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway just in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with a central array of fountains and monuments, and a network of pedestrian walkways.
0.5 miNW
Architecture, Neighbourhood, Park
Boathouse Row, Philadelphia
12 min walk • Boathouse Row is a historic site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the east bank of the Schuylkill River, just north of the Fairmount Water Works and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
0.4 miS
Park, Postmodern architecture
Cira Centre, Philadelphia
11 min walk • The Cira Centre is a 29-story, 437-foot office high-rise in the University City section of Philadelphia, directly connected to Amtrak's 30th Street Station. Developed by Brandywine Realty Trust and designed by César Pelli, it was built in 2004-05 on a platform over rail tracks.
~1750 ftNE
Museum, Art museum
Perelman Building, Philadelphia
9 min walk • The Ruth and Raymond G. Perelman Building—originally the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company Building—is an annex of the Philadelphia Museum of Art containing exhibition galleries, offices, conservation labs, and the museum library.
~1290 ftE
Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
7 min walk • Benjamin Franklin Parkway, commonly abbreviated to Ben Franklin Parkway, and colloquially in local usage "the Parkway", is a scenic boulevard that runs through the cultural heart of Philadelphia.
~180 ftN
Bridge
West River Drive Bridge, Philadelphia
1 min walk • The West River Drive Bridge is a steel girder bridge built in 1966 over the Schuylkill River on West River Drive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation owns and maintains the bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Colossus Bridge?

Nearby attractions include Spring Garden Street Bridge, Philadelphia (1 min walk), West River Drive Bridge, Philadelphia (1 min walk), West Philadelphia Elevated, Philadelphia (4 min walk), Fairmount, Philadelphia (4 min walk).

How to get to Colossus Bridge by public transport?

The nearest stations to Colossus Bridge:

Bus

Megabus (14 min walk)
Bolt Bus (14 min walk)

Train

Philadelphia 30th Street Station (15 min walk)
Suburban Station (28 min walk)

Metro

30th Street • Lines: Mfl (16 min walk)
34th Street • Lines: Mfl (18 min walk)

Tram

30th Street • Lines: 10, 11, 13, 34, 36 (16 min walk)
26th Street & Poplar Street • Lines: 15 (17 min walk)