Bridges are an important symbol in any culture. They represent over coming and cross the gap. Bridges have pushed mankind in the areas of engineering and design. We have bridges all over the world that cross mountain ranges, rivers, and ocean to connect one city or county to another. Some bridges are known for their innovative designs and some go back centuries. Bridges helped improve cities, countries, and our way of living. And we are here to give you a list of the world’s most amazing bridges.
1. Golden Gate Bridge: San Francisco, United States
Constructed on April 19, 1937, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world’s most famous bridge. Its industrial age suspension bridge design is very iconic and San Francisco would not be the same without the beauty of this bridge.
2. Sydney Harbour Bridge: Sydney, Australia
Opened on March 19, 1932, Sydney Harbour Bridge is also known as “The Coat Hanger” because of its arch design. The bridge is one of Australia’s center of attention. Every year, the Sydney Harbour Bridge helps complement Australia’s fireworks display by creating effects like a disco ball and smiley faces.
3. Ponte Vecchio: Florence, Italy
Ponte Vecchio or “Old Bridge” is a Medieval bridge is known for its shops of jewelers, souvenir sellers, and art dealers. It is also Europe’s oldest stone, closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge. Ponte Vecchio is believed to be made in the time of the Romans and it is only the bridge in Europe that was not destroyed by the Nazis thanks to an express order from Adolf Hitler himself.
4. Brooklyn Bridge: New York City, United States
Completed in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of New York’s spectacular landmarks. The bridge connects Manhattan and Brooklyn and has a height of 276.5 feet and spans over 1,595 feet. It was originally named New York and Brooklyn Bridge and the East River Bridge but in 1915, the New York City government officially named it the Brooklyn Bridge. It is also one of the United States oldest suspension bridge.
5. Gateshead Millennium Bridge: Gateshead, England
This bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist tilt bridge that was opened on September 17, 2001. It is the worlds first and only tilting bridge. One of the amazing fact about this bridge is that it looks like an eye winking whenever it is raised and lowered.
6. The Helix Bridge: Marina Bay, Singapore
Opened on April 24, 2010, the Helix Bridge is 280 meters long and is made of special stainless steel. The bridge is admired for its beautiful architectural design and amazing engineering achievement.
7. The Confederation Bridge: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Opened on May 31, 1997, the Confederation Bridge in Prince Edward Island, Canada spans over 250 meters long over the Abegweit Passage and it links Prince Edward Island with New Brunswick, Canada. Although it does not have an artistic visual design, the bridge is known to be strong and sturdy because it is the longest over ice bridge in the world.
8. New Brunswick Hartland Bridge: New Brunswick Canada
Opened on May 13, 1901, the Hartland Bridge spans over 1,282 feet long and it is one of Canada’s National Historic Site. It is also the world’s longest covered bridge.
9. Szechenyi Chain Bridge: Budapest, Hungary
The Szechenyi Chain Bridge that is made from wrought iron and stone. The bridge spans over the River Danube and connects Buda and Pest.
10. Stari Most: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Stari Most is a stone arch bridge that was made in 1567. The bridge stood for 427 years before it was destroyed in 1993 during the Croat-Bosniak War. The bridge was rebuilt and was re-opened on July 23, 2004.
11. Sunniberg Bridge: Klosters, Switzerland
The Sunniberg Bridge is known for its state-of-the-art design and stunning appearance. The bridge was finished in 1998 and won the Outstanding Structure Award in 2001. But it was not opened to traffic until December 2005.
12. Khaju Bridge: Isfahan, Iran
Built sometime in 1650 under the reign of Abass II, the Khaju Bridge is known for its useful design because it serves as a bridge, a low-head dam which regulates the flow of the Zayanderud river and a building which is used for public meetings.
13. Vasco da Gama Bridge: Lisbon, Portugal
The Vasco de Gama bridge was opened on March 29, 1998, and it is known to be Europe’s second longest bridge next to the Crimean bridge. It spans 420 meters long and 30 meters wide. It was constructed to lessen the traffic congestion between Portugal’s northern and southern region.
14. Pont du Gard Aqueduct: Gard, France
Pont du Gard is believed to be constructed between 19 BC and 150 AD by the Roman Empire. It is an arch bridge that is made of shelly limestone and it is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct which means it is used to bring water from outside sources to cities and towns.
15. Tower Bridge: London, England
The Tower Bridge is a suspension bridge that was constructed in 1894. It is one of London’s most iconic landmarks that is why Tower Bridge is often confused with the London Bridge.
16. Tsing Ma Bridge: Hong Kong, China
Opened on May 22, 1977, Tsing Ma Bridge is the world’s largest suspension bridge that features two decks which can carry both rail and road traffic.
17. Akashi-Kaikyo or Pearl Bridge: Kobe-Naruto, Japan
Akashi-Kaikyo bridge was opened on April 5, 1998, it is also known as the Pearl Bridge and with a span of 1,991 meters, it is known to be the world’s longest suspension bridge.
18. Hangzhou Bay Bridge: Zhejiang, China
Opened on May 1, 2008, Hangzhou Bay Bridge connects the Chinese municipalities of Jiaxing and Ningbo. It spans 35 kilometers long and it is one of the ten longest trans-oceanic bridges in the world.
19. Nanpu Bridge: Shanghai, China
Nanpu Bridge is known for its innovative spiral design. The design of the bridge is intended to save space. It is one of the main bridges in Shanghai.
20. Royal Gorge Bridge: Canon City, Colorado, United States
Royal Gorge Bridge is a suspension bridge that was opened on December 8, 1929. It stands 359 meters above the Arkansas River and it is the world’s highest suspension bridge.
21. Seri Wawasan Bridge: Putrajaya, Malaysia
The Seri Wawasan Bridge is known for its futuristic design because of its asymmetric design that looks like a sailing ship. It was opened on 2003 and it connects Precinct 2 on the Core Island. It crosses an artificial lake to provide natural cooling.
22. Lupu Bridge: Shanghai, China
Lupu Bridge in China is the world’s longest steel-arch bridge because of its 3,900 meter span. It is also provides a great view of the old 2010 Shanghai World Expo site.
23. Millau Viaduct: Tran Valley, France
Opened on December 2004, the Millau Viaduct is the world’s highest vehicular bridge. It has a height of 343 meters. The construction of the bridge has set a total of three world records
24. The Wind and Rain Bridge: Sanjian County, China
Opened in 1912, The Wind and Rain Bridge or also known as Chengyan Wind and Rain Bridge. Is made with dovetailed thousands pieces of wood.
25. Rolling Bridge: London, England
Finished in 2004, the Rolling Bridge is a curling movable bridge that is a part of the Grand Union Canal Office. The bridge was inspired by the animatronic dinosaur from Jurassic Park.
26. Inca Rope Bridges: Akpurimac River, Peru
The Inca Rope Bridges are simple suspension bridges that was built by the Inca Empire. It crosses over canyons, rivers and gorges. The bridges were an integral part of the Inca road system.
27. Edmund Winston Pettus Bridge: Selma, Alabama
Opened on May 25, 1940, the Edmund Winston Pettus Bridge is a historical bridge because this is were Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led 600 voting rights activist on March 7, 1965.
28. Living Root Bridge: Nongriat, India
These simple suspension bridges are mostly found in the northeast Indian State of Meghalaya, Khasi, and Jaintia. The locals created the living root bridges by training the roots of a banyan tree across the water. These bridges are naturally self-renewing and self-strengthening as it grows.
29. Rakotzbrucke Bridge: Kromlau Germany
According to the myth, the Rakotzbrucke Bridge builder sacrificed himself to the devil in exchange for finishing the bridge.
30. Golden Bridge: Da Nang, Vietnam
Opened on June 2018, the Golden Bridge in Da Nang, Vietnam is a 150 meter pedestrian bridge that was designed to avoid the steep incline between the cable car station and the gardens. The bridge provides a stunning scenic view and as well as a tourist attraction because of the two giant stone hands that looks like its holding the bridge itself.
These are some of the world’s most amazing bridges. They are not just aesthetically pleasing but they are also filled with so much history. It’s time to pack those bags, book a trip to one of these countries and cross one of these historical and remarkable bridges.
Explore the marvels of engineering with some of the world’s most amazing bridges! Curious about ancient structures still standing? Check out our article, Where Are the Oldest Bridges Still in Use Today? for an intriguing look into history.