Built over a century ago, this iconic structure, synonymous with the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, is regarded as one of the oldest railway bridges in Malaysia.

Stretching 351m, the bridge named after Queen Victoria, ruler of the British Empire at the time, is not only a breathtaking landmark, but also a reminder of the country’s rich past.

Embedded within its steel beams are stories that stretch back to pre-independence days. Today, the bridge, declared a national heritage site, lays dormant. But what was it like over a century ago?

Today, on World Heritage Day – also known as International Day For Monuments and Sites – FMT Lifestyle finds out.

History of construction (1897-1900)

The construction of Victoria Bridge began in November 1897, marking the inception of what was then considered the longest railway bridge and the largest project ever undertaken in Malaya, with a price tag of around $300,000.

Spanning the Perak River, Victoria Bridge was a single-track railway that was linked to the rail line in Sungai Siput and Kuala Kangsar in the north. In 1910, the bridge was in full use as it served as a vital conduit for transporting natural resources from Perai in the north to Singapore in the south for export.

Before the bridge’s completion, goods from both directions were manually unloaded and transported using a pontoon bridge, also known as a floating bridge. However, tragedy struck in December 1897 when a large flood carried away the pontoon bridge.

Prompted by this event, the administration initiated the construction of a bridge high enough to avoid the overflowing waters. Hence, Victoria Bridge is positioned 12m above the surface of the Perak River.

Victoria Bridge engineering

FMT Lifestyle spoke with Mir Zafriz Mior Zawari, an architect and the managing director of Kampung Warisan Budaya.

“Normally, bridges are designed by engineers just to suit its function to withstand the required load to connect one end to another. But, in this case, the design of the bridge went beyond engineering,” shared Mir.

“Its unique architecture, thoughtfully integrated in the overall design, is what makes this special and different from other bridges.”

Fun fact: did you know that the same engineers who designed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia were also responsible for the Victoria Bridge? Mir shared that Victoria Bridge’s engineers, GW Fryer and CR Hanson, were part of Dorman Long & Co’s early projects before they rose to prominence.

“The quality of materials used and the detailing in construction is why this bridge remains standing till today,” Mir said.

However, as someone who grew up in Karai, Mir also became privy to stories and legends about the bridge that many visitors may not know.

“According to local myth, human heads were sacrificed and placed inside each column in order to strengthen the bridge,” he revealed. “It was said that when someone shouted under the bridge, you would hear a response to your call. Although, in reality it was most likely an echo.”

(1940-2016)

Given Perak’s significance as one of the hotspots during the Japanese Occupation of Malaya in 1941, it’s not surprising that the bridge played a role during that period. During this time, the British army attempted to impede the Japanese invasion southward by damaging part of Victoria Bridge.

Following the departure of the Japanese army from Karai at the end of World War II, the British undertook the task of repairing the war-induced damages. Recognising the bridge’s vital role in ensuring transportation of materials and goods, they erected a military barracks and stationed two guards on each side to safeguard it against potential attacks.

As the British gradually withdrew from Malaysia, responsibility for securing Victoria Bridge shifted to the Malaysian army.

By 2002, Victoria Bridge fell into disuse, overshadowed by the completion of a new concrete double-tracking bridge. Left abandoned, it became engulfed in overgrowth.

It was not until 2013 that efforts to revive the bridge began, and by 2016, it was officially recognised as a national heritage site.

Today, locals still utilise the pedestrian crossings on both sides of the Victoria Bridge to traverse the river, and on weekends, the bridge buzzes with the activity of visitors.

Amidst the loss of many historic structures across the country, the Victoria Bridge reminds one of the importance of heritage conservation.