Blackfriars is one of the many road traffic and foot bridges at the heart of the capital. The bridge connects the two banks of the river close to the Tate Modern art gallery and Temple. The first crossing was commissioned in 1796 but did not last a great deal of time. The bridge that we see today was constructed in 1869 and designed by Joseph Cubitt. Made of five iron arches the bridge is one of the most impressive in the area.