Names of bridges. Old Bridge, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Golden Gate Bridge is not the largest bridge in the world, nor the most architecturally significant, much less its historical significance is questionable, but without a doubt, the Golden Gate Bridge is the most famous and most photographed bridge in the world. The Golden Gate is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the strait between San Francisco and Marin County to the north. Thanks toarchitect Joseph B. Strauss, whose statue adorns the south observation deck, took just seven years to build and was completed in 1937.

The Golden Gate Bridge was at the time the longest suspension bridge in the world and is a major tourist attractionSan Franciscoand California. Since its completion, the span length has been surpassed by eight other bridges.The bridge's famous red-orange color was specifically chosen to make the bridge more visible in the thick fog that often shrouds the bridge.

2.

Ponte Vecchio, literally "old bridge" - a medieval bridge over the Arno River inFlorence.The only Florentine bridge that remained intact after the Second World War.The bridge is famous for the fact that benches are built around it, as was common in Medici times.

It took eight years, five major contractors and the tireless work of 1,000 construction workers every day to build Tower Bridge, which is now one of the symbols of London. Two massive piers were sunk into the riverbed to support construction and over 11,000 tons of steel provided the foundation for the Tower and Promenade. This frame was clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone to protect the underlying steel and give the Bridge a more refined appearance.

Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn, crossing the East River.At the time it opened, and for several years, it was the longest suspension bridge in the world. The Brooklyn Bridge is an iconic landmark and one of the symbols of New York. In 1964, the bridge was listed as a US National Historic Landmark.The bridge has a wide footpath open to pedestrians and cyclists.This track is getting special meaning V hard times, when normal means of crossing the East River have become unavailable, as happened during several blackouts and most famously after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

In 1357, Charles IV commissioned Peter Parler (architect of St. Vitus' Cathedral) to replace the 12th-century Judith Hewty Bridge, which had been washed away by floods in 1342. The new bridge was completed in 1390 and named Charles Bridge.

Charles Bridge is decorated with 30 statues on parapets on both sides. Most of them were stationed there between 1706 and 1714. The first cross was placed on the Charles Bridge in the 14thcentury. Brunsquick's statue was erected there before 1503, but only the pedestal survives. It can be seen in the National Museum, and there is a replica on the Charles Bridge. The oldest surviving statue is St. John of Nepomuk from 1683, the newest is St. Cyril and Methodius from 1928. Several statues have been damaged by floods over the centuries. Basically they were placed elsewhere and the replicas were installed on the bridge.

Charles Bridge is the most famous stone Gothic bridge in the world, crossing the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic. Today it is one of the most visited attractions in Prague with artists, buskers and other performers performing on this bridge.

6. Yongji Bridge (China)

Yongji Bridge (also known as Wind and Rain Bridge) was built in 1916, The bridge is located in Chenyang, Sanjiang Autonomous Prefecture Dong near Liuzhou, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. It is the most famous among the bridges in the Dong minority region of China. The bridge spans the Linxi River and is built of wood and stone without nails or rivets and is the largest of all wind and rain bridges in the world.

Yongji Bridge has two platforms (one at each end of the bridge), 3 berth, 3 spans , 5 pavilions, 19 verandas and three floors The piers are made of stone, the upper structures are mainly wooden, and the roof is covered with tiles. The bridge has wooden handrails on both sides. Yongji Bridge has a total length of 64.4 meters and its corridor is 3.4 meters wide. The clear height above the river is about 10 meters. Yongji Bridge is located in Chenyang and serves as a link between two densely populated villages.

7. Chapel Bridge (Switzerland)

The Chapel Bridge is a 204-meter (670 ft) long bridge crossing the River Reis in the city of Lucerne.Switzerland. It is the oldest wooden bridge in Europe and one of the main tourist attractions in Switzerland.The covered bridge was built in 1333 and its main purpose was to protect Lucerne from attack. Now inInside the bridge there is a series of paintings from the 17th century depicting events from the history of Lucerne.Much of the bridge and most of these paintings were destroyed in a fire in 1993, but it was quickly rebuilt.

8. Alcantara Bridge (Spain)

Crossing the Tagus River near the Spanish city of Alcantara, the Alcantara Bridge is a masterpiece of ancient Roman architecture.The bridge was built between 104 and 106 AD by order of the Roman Emperor Trajan, who was honored triumphal arch in the center of the bridge and a small temple at one end.The Alcantara Bridge had an extremely favorable strategic location and as a result, attempts were often made to destroy it.The Moors destroyed the smallest arch on one side in 1543, while the second arch on the other side was damaged by the Spanish in the 18th century to stop the Portuguese. But despite this, the bridge has been perfectly preserved to this day.

The Harbor Bridge or Sydney Bridge, also affectionately known locally as the "Coat Hanger" due to its distinctive shape, was opened on 19 March 1932 by the Prime Minister of Australia Jack Lang , after six years of construction. The bridge contains 6 million hand rivets. The surface area is equal to the area of ​​60 sports fields. The bridge has huge hinges to absorb expansion caused by Sydney's hot sun. The Sydney Bridge has one characteristic difference from most other bridges; it can be climbed on a tour of the South East Pylon, which offers beautiful panoramic views of Sydney, and the opportunities for photographers are simply fantastic.

The Harbor Bridge is one of Australia's most famous and photographed landmarks.It is the world's largest (but not longest) steel arch bridge, with the bridge's apex rising 134 meters above Sydney Harbour.

10. Millau Viaduct (France)

With a height of 343 meters, the Millau Viaduct is known as the highest bridge in the world. It is also famous for its designs, which were considered impossible before its creation, as well as one of the greatest achievements in engineering and architecture. Designed by Michel Virloge and Norman Foster, the Millau Viaduct was built in approximately 3 years at a cost of 394 million euros.

Architectural genius is most clearly demonstrated in the creation of bridges. Famous bridges of the world! It is they, having a completely justified practical need, that often become unique symbols of countries and cities, making both famous world capitals and remote picturesque corners recognizable. From a huge number of these objects, we have selected the 10 most beautiful bridges in the world and are publishing a very arbitrary TOP 10, since there are many original and stunningly magnificent bridges in the world. And yet, using generally accepted criteria for the beauty of architectural objects, we tried to compile this list, which includes recognized examples of bridge architecture of past centuries, and new items that surprise contemporaries with the grandeur of their design and execution.

Millow Bridge (viaduct)

The list entitled “The Most Beautiful Bridges in the World” opens with the Millow Bridge, opened in December 2004 and today the largest suspended structure in the world.

Rising majestically above the valley of Tarn, located in the south of France, at an altitude of 343 meters, the Millou road bridge creates a feeling of stunning flight for everyone passing over it. The architecture of the bridge also contributes to this illusion - it is light, as if flying. Exceeding the height of the famous Eiffel Tower, the viaduct also leads the world list of the tallest bridges. The grandiose 8-span structure is placed on seven supports and weighs 36 thousand tons. A viaduct in the shape of a semicircle with a radius of 20 km was erected; its length is 2.4 km.

Royal Gorge Bridge

Our list, called “The Most Beautiful Bridges in the World,” would be incomplete without the famous American bridge, built in 1929.

It spreads over and has long become one of the most famous attractions of the region. The monumentality of the structure is organically combined with the amazing lightness of the structures, and the height of 305 meters makes it possible to enjoy the unforgettable mountain scenery of this picturesque area. The length of the structure is 385 m.

Spain: Puente de Piedra Bridge

Puente de Piedra across the Ebro River has long been recognized as one of the most visited by tourists, rightfully occupying one of the leading places in our ranking of “The Most Beautiful Bridges in the World”. The photo presented in the article demonstrates the integrity and elegance of the structure. Located in the city center near the Basilica of El Pilar, this bridge is also known as the Lion Bridge, as it is decorated with four symbolic sculptures of lions.

It is also famous for the duration of its construction: it took 40 years to build, and was completely reconstructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the Puente de Piedra bridge is a historical and architectural monument that appeared in the 15th century, and, at the same time, a powerful transport artery, extremely important for the economic health of the entire country.

Hong Kong: Tsin Ma Bridge

The list of “The largest and most beautiful bridges in the world” includes the famous Hong Kong Tsin Ma suspension bridge - one of the world’s masterpieces of architecture, which has become a kind of symbol of the country and a landmark for tourists.

Graceful and amazingly beautiful (especially when illuminated at night), the bridge connects the city with Lantau Island. In addition, being an essential part of the infrastructure of Hong Kong international airport, Tsin Ma provides highway and railway connections. The bridge was put into operation in 1997. Its length is very impressive - 2.2 km, and the main span is 1.4 km.

Argentina: Women's Bridge (Puente de la Mujer)

In the category “The most beautiful bridges in the world” it is impossible not to include the most interesting Argentine Women’s Bridge. The history of the creation of this unique swing bridge is amazing. The architect was inspired by the graceful movements of a couple dancing the Argentine tango. Located in Buenos Aires, this 170-meter graceful swing bridge spans the Rio de la Plata and connects two streets: Pierina Dealessi and Manuela Gorriti in the city's Puerto Madero district. The bridge opened at the end of 2001, and it immediately became a city landmark.

The bridge is pedestrian. It is 6.2 m wide, delimited into 3 sections, 2 of which, 25 and 32.5 m long, are fixed and located along the banks, while the middle part rotates on a concrete support base and is capable of clearing the fairway for passing ships in 2 minutes. This movable section of the bridge is equipped with a giant 34-meter metal “needle”. The cables holding the middle part of the bridge are in contact with the “needle”, the inclination of which above the surface of the water is 39°. A special support protruding from the water balances the end of the middle section when rotated 90°. Controlling all the work of this magnificent structure, computer system includes swivel mechanism if necessary.

UK: in Gateshead

This is the first tilting bridge, which has no analogues yet. He has received many architectural prizes and awards. Implementing a unique project of a pedestrian bridge, necessary for the city, but not interfering with river navigation, a unique 850-ton structure with a length of 126 m was erected in 2001.

The bridge consists of two steel arches, one of which rises in a semicircle above the water, reaching a height of 50 m at the top, the second is a pedestrian roadway under which low ships can pass. When a tall vessel approaches, the arches begin to move towards each other, turning 40°, and connect. The duration of such a maneuver is 4.5 minutes. Upon completion, both canvases are balanced and raised above the water at a height of 25 meters. People aptly dubbed this turn the “winking eye.”

Singapore: Henderson Wave Bridge

The bridge over Henderson Road is an extraordinary structure that resembles a huge snake wrapped around a tree branch. In 2008, the most beautiful bridges on earth were complemented by this ingenious pedestrian structure. The leader in height among Singapore's bridges, it immediately won the love of the city's residents.

The basis of the bridge was a frame of characteristically curved steel ribs, alternately rising above the deck. The original frame cladding made of special types of wood perfectly withstands climatic vicissitudes. The Henderson Wave Bridge connects two city parks. The undulating 7-section structure, 294 m long, seems to float at a 36-meter height above a busy highway. In the inner bends of the bridge there are comfortable niches equipped with benches and chairs where you can relax while admiring the picturesque views. The external “waves” also act as a roof, creating excellent protection from wind and sun. The Henderson Wave Bridge is stunning at any time of the day, but is particularly stunning at sunrise or sunset. At night, it is illuminated with garlands of LEDs and becomes romantic and mysterious.

Italy: Rialto Bridge

The oldest, stretching over the Grand Canal, is the pearl of world bridge construction and a popular attraction, occupying a worthy place in the list of “The most beautiful famous bridges in the world.”

The stone structure, which replaced the original wooden structure, was erected at the end of the 16th century. It connects the urban areas of San Polo and San Marco. The 48-meter Rialto Bridge, based on 12,000 piles, is a pedestrian bridge consisting of one traditional arch. The width of the structure is 22 m. Today, as in the heyday of Italy, the bridge has not lost its popularity: it is always lively and loved by city residents and tourists.

French Pont du Gard

This Roman bridge, which has stood the test of time, is under the protection of UNESCO. Built in ancient times, the three-level bridge is still a place of pilgrimage for tourists from many countries. The Pont du Gard is an aqueduct connecting the banks of the Gardon River near the French city of Nîmes. Its dimensions are remarkable, they surprise and shock at the same time: the length of the bridge is 275 m, and the height reaches 47 m. Pont du Garce is not just a majestic ancient Roman aqueduct, here every stone remembers fascinating historical events. Time to build this unique structure dated back to 19 BC. e., but none of the scientists can explain how exactly it was built.

The three-tier aqueduct is part of a 50-kilometer water supply system that supplies water for the needs of the citizens of Nîmes. Over more than 2000 years of history, changes have occurred; the aqueduct has long ceased to serve as a water supply system, remaining a majestic crossing.

in London

The TOP 10 “The most beautiful bridges in the world” is completed by the famous drawbridge over the Thames, located not far from the Tower. This British icon, built in the Victorian Gothic style, was built in 1894 and is a 244-meter structure with two 65-meter towers. The length of the span between them is 61 m, and the span itself is divided into 2 movable wings, capable of rising by 83° and equipped with a special counterweight, making it possible to open the bridge within one minute.

For pedestrians in the building, in addition to the provided sidewalks, galleries have been built that unite the towers at a height of 44 m. Today they house a museum and an observation deck.

We tried to list and characterize the most beautiful bridges in the world. The photos and names of the bridges are different, but they are similar in one thing: these majestic structures were created by brilliant masters and have become unique monuments of architectural art.

When it comes to shortening a journey, transporting goods or crossing to the other side, bridges have no equal. And these 10 also unite different countries, making travel and trade between them much easier.

1. Ambassador Bridge, USA and Canada

This suspension bridge over the Detroit River connects the cities of Detroit in the USA and Windsor in Canada. Its length is 2300 m. The Ambassador is the busiest international bridge in North America: about 25% of all trade between the States and Canada is carried through it. And this is approximately $1 million in turnover daily.

Express information on the country

The Earth is in third place in terms of distance from the Sun and in fifth place among all the planets in the Solar System in size.

Age– 4.54 billion years

Average radius – 6,378.2 km

Average circumference – 40,030.2 km

Square– 510,072 million km² (29.1% land and 70.9% water)

Number of continents– 6: Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia and Antarctica

Number of oceans– 4: Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic

Population– 7.3 billion people. (50.4% men and 49.6% women)

Most populous states: Monaco (18,678 people/km2), Singapore (7607 people/km2) and Vatican City (1914 people/km2)

Number of countries: total 252, independent 195

Number of languages ​​in the world– about 6,000

Number of official languages– 95; the most common: English (56 countries), French (29 countries) and Arabic (24 countries)

Number of nationalities– about 2,000

Climate zones: equatorial, tropical, temperate and arctic (main) + subequatorial, subtropical and subarctic (transitional)

1. Second Severn Bridge, England and Wales

The Second Severn is a cable-stayed road bridge across the River Severn. It connects the English city of Aust with the Welsh Boulevard. The bridge was opened in 1996 and has a length of 5128 m. The old (first) Severn Bridge was built in 1966 and is located 3.5 km upstream.

1. Oresund Bridge, Denmark and Sweden

This is both a railway (two tracks) and a road (four lanes) bridge. It passes through the Oresund Strait and connects the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, and the Swedish city of Malmo. The bridge has a length of 7845 m, making it the longest combined road in the world. In addition, it is also partly a tunnel: in a certain section, cars and trains literally “dive” under the water.

1. Bridge of Three Countries, Germany, France, Switzerland

The name of this bridge says it all: it crosses the Rhine on the border between France, Germany and Switzerland. Well, okay, the Swiss border is located a little further - 200 m from the bridge, but you can close your eyes to this. The bridge is pedestrian.Its length is 248 m, and this is a record among arched suspension bridges.

1. Rainbow Bridge, USA and Canada

The Rainbow Bridge was built in 1941 over the Niagara River, a few hundred meters from the famous falls. It connects America and Canada. The 440 m long bridge is designed for both transport and pedestrians. It got its name thanks to the rainbow that hangs here almost constantly. This place also attracts tourists with its breathtaking views.

1. New Europe Bridge, Bulgaria and Romania

“New Europe” is a combined road and rail bridge across the Danube. It connects the cities of Vidin in Bulgaria and Calafat in Romania. Commissioned in 2013, total length – 3598 m.

1. Victoria Falls Bridge, Zimbabwe and Zambia

This bridge is one of the most beautiful in the world due to its location: it is located next to the magnificent Victoria Falls.Arch bridge over the Zambezi River connects Zambia and Zimbabweand is simultaneously vehicular, rail and pedestrian. Its length is 198 m. The Victoria Falls Bridge was opened in 1905, and it was built in just a year.

1. King Hussein Bridge, Israel (Palestine) and Jordan

This bridge crosses the Jordan River and connects the Palestinian city of Jericho with Jordan. He has a long and very interesting story. The first bridge on this site was built by the Ottomans in 1885. Then in 1918 the British replaced it with a new one, which, however, was destroyed in 1946 during the Arab-Israeli War. In his modern form The King Hussein Bridge appeared here in the late 1990s, after peace was concluded between Jordan and Israel.

1. Bridge of no return, DPRK and Republic of Korea

On the border of the DPRK and South Korea one of the symbols is located cold war between these states is the Bridge of No Return. During the Korean War, prisoners were exchanged at this site. The last time the bridge was used for this purpose was in 1968. It has been closed since 1976, but even today there are checkpoints on both sides.

1. Friendship Bridge, Tajikistan and Afghanistan

The Friendship Bridge across the Pyanj River connects Tajikistan and Afghanistan. It is interesting that money for its construction - about $500 thousand - was given by the United States of America and Norway. The length of the structure is 135 m.

The main attraction of San Francisco is built across the strait of the same name and connects the city bay with Pacific Ocean. The design is a suspension bridge with a suspended roadway, and its length is 1970 m. Work on the construction of the bridge lasted from 1933 to 1937, during the Great Depression and during the formation of the city from the consequences of the earthquake of 1906. The developer of the project was Joseph Strouss, the best bridge construction engineer of that time. At the end of May 1937, the grand opening of the largest suspension bridge in the world at that time took place; the Golden Gate Bridge retained this status until 1964, until it was bypassed by New York's Verrazano Bridge. The unique bridge is recognized as a symbol of the United States and is the pride of the American people.

One of the outstanding attractions of Portugal, striking in its infinity of length and beauty of its design. The total length of this bridge, recognized as the longest in all of Europe, is 17.2 km. Its architecture does not have a classical form and is distinguished by its airiness. The functional focus of the structure is to connect remote areas of the capital of Portugal. Thanks to the construction of the bridge, which gradually transforms from a cable-stayed structure into a viaduct, it was possible to establish transport links in the city and provide free access to some of its objects. And the unconventional shape of the bridge is expressed in the fact that the cable-stayed part is located perpendicular to the coastline, while the viaduct runs parallel.

It is the oldest bridge in the United States, built over the East River, connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan, the boroughs of New York. The construction of the bridge, stretching for 1825 m, took 13 years (1869 – 1883). All work was carried out under the guidance of engineer John Roebling, who was the first of the craftsmen to propose replacing cast iron with steel. To prove the reliability of the steel bridge, on the day of its opening - May 24, 1883, representatives of the city authorities walked along it with elephants. And for more than a century, the Brooklyn Bridge has been fulfilling its functions. It consists of 3 zones, two of which are for cars, and the 3rd for cyclists and pedestrians. This zone is located in the center of the structure, and it is raised above the 2 adjacent automobile zones, with this the engineer Roebling wanted to show the superiority of people over cars.

It harmoniously fits into the architecture of London and has become one of its symbols. The name of the structure is explained by its location - it is located next to Tower Castle, standing on the north bank of the Thames. The bridge was built according to the design of Horace Jones at the end of the 19th century. The result of the engineering work was a 244-meter structure with high 65-meter towers. At a height of 44 m they are connected by a gallery intended for pedestrians. Nowadays, this gallery has become a museum and observation deck. The color scheme of the bridge is also interesting. Initially it had a chocolate color, but on the occasion of the anniversary of Elizabeth II it was repainted, imitating the colors of the national flag. But the bridge did not become blue-white-red, because... There is very little red in it, and from a distance the structure appears blue and white.

Cable-stayed road bridge, crossing the valley of the French Tarn River and passing near the city of Millau. It is considered the tallest in the world, because one of its supports reaches a height of 341 m. Engineer Michel Virlogio, famous for creating the Normandy cable-stayed bridge, worked on the development of the project for the grandiose structure. The unique structure is part of the A75 highway and ends it. Thanks to the emergence of the Millau Viaduct, high-speed travel from Paris to Beziers in transit through Clermont-Ferrand became available. It is noteworthy that travel across it is not free for motorists, since the bridge was created under a contract between the French government and the Eifage Group company. One of the clauses states that the company has the right to collect a small fee from cars passing here.

Ponte Vecchio, or the Old Bridge, is not just a structure designed to cross from one bank of the Arno River to the other. This is an entire architectural monument erected back in the 14th century. In ancient times, there was a ford at the location of the bridge, and the width of the Arno here was minimal. Therefore, the ancient Romans built a bridge here, installing it on stone piles and adding wooden superstructures. In this form, it survived the fall of the Roman Empire, but could not resist the destructive force of the water element that rebelled in 1117. The Ponte Vecchio bridge acquired its modern appearance back in 1345, after the development of a new project by the master Neri di Fioravanti. Changing the outline of the design improved it appearance and gave it strength. The new bridge consists of 3 arches, reaching a length of up to 30 m.

The oldest bridge built across the Grand Canal in Venice. Initially, in this place there was a pontoon bridge, erected in 1811 according to the design of Nicolo Barattieri and called Ponte della Moneta, which is explained by the proximity of the mint. But due to the emergence of the Rialto market in the city, it became necessary to replace the existing bridge with a stronger one. So in 1250 a new wooden bridge appeared, made in the form of an arch. For the convenience of passage of tall ships, this arch opened in its central part. The bridge began to be called Rialto, but it did not prove to be highly durable - in 1310 it was significantly damaged during a fire, and in 1444 it collapsed, unable to withstand a huge crowd of townspeople. The modern 28-meter stone bridge appeared already in 1591 thanks to the efforts of the architect Antonio da Ponte.

The 36-kilometer “brainchild” of the Chinese engineer Wang Yong, recognized as the longest bridge in the world. Designed in the shape of the letter S, it crosses the Qiantang River and Hangzhou Bay. The structure is considered the most important link of the Super Highway running along the East Coast of China. It begins in the north of the country in Jiaxin and ends in the south, in Ningbo. Due to the construction of this large-scale structure, it was possible to reduce the distance of transport by 120 km (from Ningbo to Shanghai). Work on the construction of the longest and most beautiful bridge in the world was carried out from 2003 to 2008. Their difficulty lay in the fact that the structure had to be laid in an unpredictable marine environment and in a seismic zone.

It was erected over the Neva from 1912 to 1916. with the aim of connecting Admiralteysky Island with Vasilievsky Island (districts of St. Petersburg). Its history begins in 1882, when city residents and public figures began to contact the City Council with a request to build a permanent crossing across the river. But it was only in 1900 that the authorities listened to these requests and decided to hold an international competition to determine the designer of the bridge. And so, in February 1911, the Kolomna Plants Society began construction of the bridge; work on its construction was completed only by the end of 1916. The structure owes its name to the Winter Palace. The 250-meter metal bridge consists of 5 spans, and the central double-wing span extends in both directions. The mass of all steel parts of the bridge is 7770 tons.

The longest suspended structure in the whole world. It connects the Asian and European parts of Istanbul. Previously, no such structures had been erected over the Bosphorus Strait, and the Bosphorus Suspension Bridge became the first crossing. British engineers Roberts and Brown worked on his project. According to their idea, steel cables of a zigzag shape became the holders of the bridge, “hovering” above the water at a height of 64 m. The bridge is divided into lanes, ensuring safety during the movement of vehicles. The total length of the bridge is 1560 m, the width is 33 m, and over 200,000 people pass through it every day. Vehicle. You cannot walk across the bridge on foot, because... due to suicide attempts it is closed to pedestrians. Trucks are not allowed here either.

Bridges are unusually attractive creations. Each bridge has its own character and history. Some, of course, are not so large-scale and mean something only to surrounding residents. But there are bridges that have gone down in history. We can talk endlessly about bridges, so we can show only some of the endless variety of these almost living creatures.

We begin our journey in France. The need to build a bridge in Paris became clear in the middle of the 16th century. The structures that existed at that time had already become decrepit under the influence of active traffic and required replacement. At the same time, it was customary to set up craft workshops and trading shops on bridges; there were money changers, jewelers, and furniture forging took place (the best examples of which can still be found today). People first started talking about the New Bridge in 1556, began construction in 1578, and completed it in 1607. The main difference was that it was the first bridge with sidewalks and there were no shops or houses on it. By the way, it was precisely this idea of ​​the builder kings that caused the greatest resistance among traders.

2. Le Viaduc de Millau

The Tarn River cuts France from east to west. As the population grew, the flow in the south-north direction increased every year, especially in the summer along the route leading to Spain and Southern France. The only crossing over the Tarnot was a bridge in the suburb of Millau. Huge traffic jams, exhaust pipe emissions - no one enjoyed it. And after 10 years of research, a site was chosen for construction and a cable-stayed bridge across the Tarn was armed. This object broke several records at once. First of all, it has the highest road surface (270 m), the viaduct has the highest supports (244.91 m) and supports with pylons (343 m). In addition, this bridge is simply beautiful; its fencing is made of translucent materials, which allows travelers to enjoy picturesque views of the Tarn Valley.

Prague's Charles Bridge connected the Lesser Town and the Old Town at the beginning of the 15th century. Construction began in 1357 by order of the Emperor Charles IV. There are 30 sculptures on this unique bridge. There is an interesting belief that it was from the Charles Bridge that Saint John of Nepomut was thrown. In that very place there is now a cross and a pair of copper nails. According to legend, if you touch the cross, then any wish you make will come true.

This bridge is difficult to confuse with any other. Tower Bridge was built in just eight years (1886-1894). The carriageway of the bridge can be opened to allow passage of ships. But a suspension bridge was built on top at a height of 40 m for pedestrians. True, these galleries were quickly inhabited by pickpockets and prostitutes, and after 25 years the authorities closed access to this part of the bridge. Now (since 1982) the galleries are again available to the public as a museum and observation deck. Another interesting point is related to the support towers. Actually it's metal constructions. But on the outside, to protect them from corrosion, they were lined with stone, as a result the bridge took on such a solid Gothic appearance.

5. Szechenyi lanchid

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge to connect Pest and Buda. At the time of completion of construction in 1849, it was considered one of the wonders of the world - the bridge had the longest span of 202 m. During the war, the bridge was completely destroyed, and in 1949 it was rebuilt again. There are many legends and anecdotes associated with the bridge. The stone lions at the entrance to the bridge are especially loved by the residents of Budapest. They said that they did not have tongues, although they were simply not visible from below due to the high position of the animals. They also say that lions should roar the moment a man who has never cheated on his wife passes by. What is significant is that the lions are still silent...

6. Ponte di Rialto

Let's continue our journey across bridges in Italy. Here they know how to handle their history and know what to do even with outdated buildings, as in the article. Our first stop in Venice is at the very first bridge over the Grand Canal. This bridge was first built of wood in 1255, but during an uprising it was burned in 1310. The bridge was restored, but in 1444 it could not withstand the weight of the crowd and collapsed, then there was a drawbridge version, which also did not survive. And since 1591, the bridge acquired its current appearance in the hands of the architect Antonio de Ponte. On the Rialto Bridge there are 24 shops with the most expensive Venetian souvenirs.

7. Ponte dei Sospiri

The no less famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice is a covered structure with a roof and walls. At the beginning of the 17th century, it connected the prison and the Doge's Palace with an interrogation room and a courtroom. The name was formed from the suffering of prisoners who could see their hometown for the last time from the windows of the bridge on the way to prison. Now it is believed that if lovers swim under a bridge at sunset and kiss, their passion will be eternal.

8. Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence has ancient predecessors. The first bridge was built on this site back in the days Ancient Rome, then there were 2 more bridges until this structure was built in 1345. Before today the bridge retains its original outline. By the way, once on the bridge there were shops and houses of butchers, who XVI century jewelers changed. Another interesting detail is the corridor above the buildings, which allowed the Grand Dukes to freely pass between their residences: Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio.

In just 9 years, Suleiman the Magnificent built this bridge in Mostar across the Neretva. 420 years had passed since the Ottoman occupation and the bridge was still standing. It was destroyed only in 1993, during the Yugoslav conflict. In 2004, the bridge was restored and became a symbol of reconciliation.

10. Chapel Bridge

In Lucerne, Switzerland, the signature bridge is the Chapel Bridge. Back in 1365, this wooden bridge was erected, which played a significant role in the city’s defensive system. The Kapellbrücke was designed in the form of a covered gallery, under the roof of which there were 111 triangular paintings. After the fire of 1993, most of them perished, but were later restored based on available inventories and photographs.

11. Anghel Saligny Bridge

Cernavoda Fetesti was built in Romania in 1895. At the time of construction, it held the length record - 4037 m. The bridge rises 30 m above the waters of the Danube and allows any ships to pass under it. In 1987, a new bridge was built nearby, and the old one was completely given over to tourists.

The Erasmus Bridge was built in 1996 in Rotterdam. The design is modern and very unusual. The cable-stayed bridge has a length of 808 m, at one end there is a draw span (the heaviest and largest in Western Europe). For its characteristic silhouette, the bridge received the name Swan.
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