Luis Fontanini has shared with us the fascinating details of constructing a stunning bridge!
For quite some time, he stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing at a person on the other side and pondering, “How can I get there?” The answer was surprisingly simple – a bridge, a structure designed to connect things that nature intended to keep apart.
Isn’t it a brilliant concept? We can traverse seas, oceans, and rivers without even getting our feet wet!
The creator of Minecraft, known as TheDwarf, decided to establish his own security measures for the bridge. They built a tower filled with guards who are determined to prevent anyone from accessing the structure. Luis drew inspiration from an image on Pinterest featuring a bridge designed by French artist Guillaume Tavernier, recreating it in Minecraft. “It’s been about a year since I first saw the photo, and finally, I found the time to bring my long-held idea to life!” says Luis.
The bridge presents itself in two styles: a standard, well-thought-out design and a red-and-white version in “Gondorian” style, which is part of the “Lord of the Rings” server. Gondor, the largest kingdom of men in this legendary tale, requires a protective perimeter to safeguard its people from attacks by evil orcs and hungry hobbits. The outcome exceeded expectations: the bridge truly became an excellent trap for enemies. To match Gondor’s aesthetic, Luis painted the medieval stonework white.
Just like in real life, the bridge is constructed from bricks. A texture pack called Excalibur was used to give the blocks a more realistic appearance. Upon closer inspection, one can notice that even the smallest everyday details have been carefully considered. For instance, there are guard posts, areas for resting or dining, and even rising and lowering portcullises that serve as barriers for anyone wishing to access the bridge. And you know what? They really do their job remarkably well!
“I think my favorite feature is the gates. They slide up and down, controlling access to the watchtower. This detail stands out against the entire structure,” admits Luis.
A significant amount of attention was given to the interior design. It includes storage rooms, living quarters, and spaces where guards can comfortably observe the bridge and the river flowing below. “I envision it as a toll booth before entering a magical kingdom,” says Luis, “or watching over the river and road as if they were some kind of hostile force.”
The creators also wanted the watchtower to maintain communication with the local populace in case of unexpected attacks. For example, as Louis mentioned, through a pigeon. Doesn’t that sound like a minor threat? My friend, you clearly have never fought them. Pigeons are hardcore.
Inside the bridge lies another hidden feature – a secret tunnel! “The resistance must be epic,” says Luis. “The construction itself is very sturdy, strong, and well thought out. At the last moment, a surviving guard can escape into the tunnel and find safety while observing the ongoing battle.” Oh, how ingenious!
Luis began his creative journey in Minecraft Pocket Edition by building elements from the popular video game Skyrim, set in a fantastical medieval world called Tamriel. It’s filled with dragons, snowy mountains, and dungeons brimming with danger. “I’ve created numerous dungeons and buildings around it, including various large dwarf cities, caverns, and dungeons surrounding Tamriel.”
Fortified Bridge is one of the few constructions by Luis that wasn’t inspired by a video game, but after completing it, he returned to that theme. “As you’ve noticed, I mainly work on various builds, cities from Skyrim, and dungeons, along with dwarves,” he states. His current project is called Karak Gnoll, an underground city inhabited by dwarves, based on Warhammer.
So now you can confidently tell your parents that playing video games is a fantastic way to learn about art. Brilliant!
