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
