Monks' Bridge, Abbey Bridge, The Crossag
Period: Late Medieval
NGR Easting: 227970
NGR Northing: 470450
Description: Medieval packhorse bridge. The structure is the only medieval bridge on the Island, and may date from the 12th century when Rushen Abbey was founded. It leads to the abbey’s extensive agricultural estates which were spread through the north and east of the parish of Malew.
The bridge is humpbacked, spanning the Silver Burn with two main arches. There is also a small subsidiary opening by the west bank. The bridge is 13m long and just 1.9m wide, with 1m high parapets on both sides. The arches are pointed and constructed of narrow voussoirs set in plenty of lime mortar (similar to the construction of the round vault in the chapter house of Rushen Abbey). The bridge is defended against the flow of the river by sharp cutwaters on the upstream face.
View map location on Archaeology Data Service
Site & Monument Type: packhorse bridge
Category: National Monuments Record: Statutory Ancient Monuments
Site ID number: 0118.10