Dramatic footbridge creates first link in 500 years to legendary castle in Britain

LONDON -- A British cultural charity on Thursday unveiled a footbridge across a gorge, linking two halves of a legendary castle in southwestern England for the first time in 500 years.

The breathtaking 58-meter long bridge at Tintagel Castle in Cornwall county, built at almost 60 meters above sea level, was created by the English Heritage.

The bridge will be open to public from Sunday, allowing people to walk in the footsteps of medieval inhabitants of the castle inextricably linked with the legend of King Arthur.

In the past, residents walked from one side to the other using a narrow land bridge, which formed a link between the mainland and the headland jutting out into the sea.

That crossing, which vanished in the 15th or 16th century, was replaced by the footbridge of steel, oak and local Cornish slate.

"Tintagel Castle has been made whole again," said English Heritage CEO Kate Mavor. "Our new Tintagel bridge protects the castle's archaeology and brings its story to life in a brilliant, imaginative way."

Around 250,000 people visit Tintagel Castle a year and the new footbridge will help reduce congestion, especially at peak periods.

Some 1,000 donators to the project each marked their contribution by signing one of the Cornish slates which form the walkway of the bridge.