Throughout the ages, man has been using architecture to bridge the gaps between physical obstacles, for the purpose of providing an easy passage. Most of these bridges are also regarded as landmarks and are a vital part of the infrastructures of regions around the world.
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, United states
Opened in 1937
The Golden Gate bridge is located in San Francisco and is perhaps the city’s most famous attraction. With the view of the bay around it, it is truly a sight to see.
The famous red-orange color of the bridge was specifically chosen to make the bridge more easily visible through the thick fog that frequently shrouds the bridge.
Tower Bridge, London, England
Opened in 1894
Built in the 19th Century, this symbol of British capital is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name.
The bridge consists of two towers which are tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways which are designed to withstand the forces of the suspended sections of the bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge, New York, United States
Opened in in 1883
The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It connects Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River. It has become one of the icons on New York from its opening day.
The bridge has a wide pedestrian walkway open to walkers and cyclists.
Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
Opened in 1345
The Ponte Vecchio (literally “old bridge”) is a medieval stone arch bridge, famous for still having shops built along it as was once common. It is the only bridge in Florence to survive the second world war.
The economic concept of bankruptcy originated here: when a merchant could not pay his debts, the table on which he sold his wares (the “banco”) was physically broken (“rotto”) by soldiers, and this practice was called “bancorotto” (broken table).
Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy
Opened in 1591
The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. It is the oldest bridge across the canal.
It was replacement for a wooden bridge that collapsed. The engineering of the bridge was considered so audacious that some architects predicted a future collapse. The bridge has defied its critics to become one of the architectural icons of Venice.
Millau Viaduct, Millau, France
Opened in 2004
The Millau Viaduct bridge is the tallest bridge in the world. Opened in 2004, this 4 lanes bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn near Millau in southern France.
It is the tallest structure in France, taller than the Eiffel Tower. The speed limit on the bridge was reduced from 130 km/h to 110 km/h to make it possible taking pictures of the bridge from the vehicles.
Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic
Opened in the beginning of the 15th
A world famous stone gothic bridge that crosses the Vltava river. The Charles Bridge for a long time was the most important connection between the Old Town and the area around Prague Castle.
The avenue of 30 mostly baroque statues and statuaries situated on the balustrade forms a unique connection of artistic styles with the underlying gothic bridge.
Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, Kobe, Japan
Opened in 1998
The Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, also known as the Pearl Bridge, is the longest suspension bridge in the world. Before the bridge was built, ferries carried passengers across the Akashi Strait in Japan.
The bridge has three spans. The central span was originally only 1,990 meter but the Kobe earthquake on January 17, 1995, moved the two towers so that it had to be increased by 1 meter.
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia
Opened in March 1932
It is the world’s largest (but not the longest) steel arch bridge. The bridge carries roads for vehicles and railroads as well as bicycle and pedestrian traffic between the North Shore and the central business district of the city. The beautiful view of the bridge with the harbour and the Sydney Opera House form the so familiar and wonderful skyline of the city.
Because the steel expands or contracts (depending on whether it is hot or cold) the bridge can rise or fall up to 18 cm.
Stari Most, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Opened in 1566
It was built by the Ottaman Turks and stood for 427 years, until the bridge was destroyed in 1993 during the Bosnian War.
It is traditional for the young men of the town to leap from the bridge into the Neretva. As the river is very cold, this is a very risky feat and only the most skilled and best trained divers will attempt it.
