20 of the world’s most beautiful bridges

This gallery covers bridges built in over a dozen different countries, ranging in age from 2 to nearly 2,000 years old. Enjoy.

1. Charles Bridge, Prague

Built in 1357 as part of Emperor Charles IV’s vision for a majestic Prague, Charles Bridge connects Old Town and New Town, spanning the width of the Vltava River. Statues of saints, street artists, and panoramic views of the city draw millions of tourists here every year.
Photo: freefotouk

2. Puente Nuevo, Ronda, Spain

Finally completed in 1751, the Puente Nuevo took 42 years to build and claimed the lives of 50 workers in the process of its construction.
Photo: papalars

3. Chengyang Bridge, China

Translated as the “Wind and Rain Bridge,” this structure’s five pavilions are popular meeting places for the residents of Chengyang.

Photo: oliverlaumann

4. Brooklyn Bridge, NYC

The first steel-wire suspension bridge in the world, the Brooklyn Bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn. More than 120,000 cars (and, encouragingly, 3,100 bikes) cross the bridge every day.
Photo: [ToyBox]

5. Fehmarn Sound Bridge, Germany

The Fehmarn Sound Bridge connects the island of Fehmarn to the German mainland, spanning almost a kilometer of the Baltic Sea. It was constructed during the Cold War, and explosive vaults were embedded into its structure so the bridge could be blown up in case of invasion.
Photo: Tupolev und seine Kamera

6. Konitsa Bridge, Greece

This unassuming Greek bridge was built by Ziogas Frontzos from the nearby village of Pyrsogianni. Local legend has it than when the architects who had previously tried unsuccessfully to build the bridge asked him where he had studied bridge building, he proudly replied: “In the University of Pyrsogianni!”
Photo: elkost

7. Rode Brug, Utrecht, Netherlands

The aptly named Rode Brug (literally: “Red Bridge”) elegantly spans the Vecht River in the red light district of Utrecht.
Photo: filmvanalledag

8. Tower Bridge, London

Named for the nearby Tower of London, the Tower Bridge stands as an iconic symbol of Great Britain’s capital.
Photo: Anirudh Koul

9. Rialto Bridge, Venice

The raised central arch of Venice’s Rialto Bridge allowed for large boat traffic on the city’s Grand Canal during its marine trading heyday. Today the bridge is one of the most visited landmarks in Venice.
Photo: llamnudds

10. Kapellbrücke, Lucerne, Switzerland

This covered wooden footbridge was built in the 14th century. Its roof is decorated with over 100 paintings depicting the history of the city.
Photo: bigbirdz

11. Stari Most, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Stari Most was originally built in the 16th century to connect the two shores of the city of Mostar. Destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosnian war, it was painstakingly rebuilt and reopened in 2004. Today, it spans the River Neretva once more.

Photo: Ko:(char *)hook

12. Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Believed to have originally been built in the 10th century, Ponte Vecchio was washed away in floods and rebuilt twice. It was the only bridge in Florence not to be destroyed during World War II.
Photo: ehpien

13. Python Bridge, Amsterdam

Built in 2001, this Amsterdam bridge really does resemble a giant red snake. Bonus points for the decorative aluminum seagulls.
Photo: ** Tania **

14. Eitai Bridge, Tokyo

After the original wooden structure was destroyed in an earthquake, the city of Tokyo built this high-strength steel replacement in 1926.
Photo: TVTP

15. Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney

The best time to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge is on New Year’s Eve, when the bridge forms the focal point of the city’s fireworks celebrations.
Photo: coquetboy

16. Pont du Gard, France

This aqueduct bridge was built by the Romans in the first century A.D. Because of its historic significance, it was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1985.
Photo: zak mc

17. Golden Gate, San Francisco

San Francisco’s iconic bridge spans the Golden Gate, the strait that connects San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Its remarkable orange colour (known in the aerospace industry as “international orange”) was chosen to make it visible to passing ships even in heavy fog.
Photo: TenSafeFrogs

18. Kintai Bridge, Japan

Built in 1673, this wooden arch bridge spans the Nishiki River in Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture. The current bridge is the last in a series of wooden bridges destroyed in rapid succession by localized flooding. Thanks to architectural improvements, this final version still stands today and has been named a national treasure by the Japanese government.
Photo: durian

19. Helix Bridge, Singapore

Modeled after the DNA double helix that encodes the blueprints for life on Earth, the Helix Bridge is a pedestrian walkway in downtown Singapore. It was officially opened in 2010.
Photo: bboylanky

20. Gateshead Millennium Bridge, England

Opened in 2000, the Millennium Bridge is a pedestrian footbridge across the River Tyne with a unique feature: The bridge can rotate up to allow boats to pass under.
Photo: Simon & Vicki