This brief article will list the top 8 most famous bridges in the world. If you need more information on these architectural giants’ history and value, read 25 Most Famous Bridges In The World.
8. Tower Bridge (London, England) – 1894
London’s Tower Bridge is a 244-meter-long combined bascule and suspension bridge over the River Thames. It was built to alleviate road traffic while preserving river access to the busy Pool of London docks. Its Gothic-style towers and the upper walkway (which were initially designed for pedestrians) demonstrate the harmonious blend of function and form.
7. Forth Bridge (Scotland, UK) – 1890
The Forth Bridge, located in Scotland, is a window to Victorian engineering. It was opened in 1890 and is 2467 meters long steel cantilever railway bridge that was the first of its kind. The structure dramatically improves the connection between Edinburgh and the north of Scotland. Its innovative design and striking red hue, visible across the Firth of Forth, make it a symbol of Scotland’s industrial heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
6. Ponte de Dom Luís I (Porto, Portugal) – 1886
The Ponte de Dom Luís I is a double-deck iron bridge in Porto, Portugal, that was inaugurated in 1886. Its length is 385 meters, and the structure stands over the Douro River to facilitate travel and trade between Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, which was previously hampered by the river’s strong currents.
5. Brooklyn Bridge (New York City, USA) – 1883
The Brooklyn Bridge was opened in 1883 in New York City and is still wowed as a marvel of 19th-century engineering. This hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge is 1834 meters long that provides the first fixed crossing over the East River, connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn.
4. Rialto Bridge (Venice, Italy) – 1591
The Rialto Bridge is a 48-meter infrastructure spread across the Grand Canal and is the oldest of four bridges crossing this major waterway. Its single-stone-arch design was built by Antonio da Ponte and helped during the Renaissance, solving the challenge of connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo without obstructing maritime traffic.
3. Charles Bridge (Prague, Czech Republic) – 1402
A remarkable feat of 14th-century engineering is Charles Bridge, which connects the Old Town and Lesser Town over the Vltava River. The bridge’s length is 516 meters, and it features 30 baroque-style statues. Commissioned by Charles IV, its construction addressed the need for a reliable stone crossing after floods destroyed its wooden predecessor.
2. Ponte Vecchio (Florence, Italy) – 1345
Ponte Vecchio is famous for its multi-purpose design, and the bridge’s body spans 32 meters over the Arno River. The medieval stone bridge resolved Florentine citizens’ need for a permanent crossing. The bridge became a hub of commerce, initially hosting butchers’ shops, but it was changed when it was decreed that only goldsmiths and jewelers could operate there. The tradition persists, and the bridge is now home to exclusive jewelry boutiques.
1. Chapel Bridge (Lucerne, Switzerland) – 1333
The Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke) is a 205 meters long oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe. The bridge’s unique feature is the Wasserturm (Water Tower), an octagonal tower built in the middle of the Reuss River. The bridge, initially constructed for defense purposes, has also served as a strategic connector within the compact medieval city. Despite a damaging fire in 1993, it was meticulously restored, and the structure we see now was rebuilt after the accident.
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