Brooklyn Bridge, Tower Arches

The towers are the soul of the Brooklyn Bridge — twin Gothic arches of granite and limestone that Roebling gave the look of cathedral windows, so that a piece of engineering would also be a monument. Each one carries the weight of the whole span on its pointed arches.

Photographed May 2013, from below and to the side. The twin arches open overhead and the cables fan off to the right, raking light catching the rough-cut stone. Seen this close the tower stops being part of a skyline and becomes sheer, ancient-looking mass.