With the development of civilization, the growth of population and cities, insurmountable rivers, huge lakes, abysses of mountains, ravines had to submit to man. To do this, began to build bridges.
Probably the very first bridges in the world were tree trunks dumped through small streams and ravines. Then the bridges were laid out of stone. With the development of architecture, they began to improve not only in strength, strength, but also in beauty.
Today it is not only a means of crossing a car, bicycle, any other vehicle or just a person of a certain path, but also a visiting card of the city.
You can find out which bridges are the most beautiful in the world (according to most-bauty.ru) in this article.
The most beautiful bridges in the world:
1
Pont du Gard, France
Pont du Gard is a kind of water supply to Nimes from Uzès, built in the 1st century AD. The aqueduct has 3 tiers, at the very bottom 6 beams, then 11 and at the top of 35 beams.
Pont du Gard is the highest aqueduct preserved from the era of ancient Rome, erected in France. It connects the banks of the Gardon River near Remulan. Its length is 275 meters and a height of 47 meters. The bridge has been on the UNESCO list since 1985.
2
Akashi Kaikyo, Japan
This suspension bridge began to be built in 1988, officially opened by Akashi-Kayke in April 1998.
The main objective of the bridge is to connect the cities of Kobe and Awaji, located on different islands, separated by the Akashi Strait. Enters the highway that connects Honshu and Shikoku.
Akashi-Kaikyo twice the record holder of the Guinness Book of Records: for length and height. The length of the bridge is 3 911 meters and the height is 298 meters, which is significantly higher than 90 floors of a residential building. The fare on the bridge by car is high, so many drivers prefer to cross this place the old fashioned way, by ferry. At the same time, more than 25,000 cars drive through here per day.
An interesting fact: if you straighten all the steel bars of the Akashi-Kaykyo load-bearing cables, then they will be enough to wrap the globe more than 7 times.
3
Brooklyn Bridge, New York
One of the oldest in the United States is the Brooklyn Bridge. Upon completion of construction, it was recognized as the largest among the existing and the first bridge with steel bars. The main purpose of its construction is the connection of Brooklyn and Manhattan through the East River Strait.
Movement through the structure can also be carried out by pedestrians. An elevated middle part was built for them. Also cyclists move along it.
Brooklyn Bridge is not only a National Historic Landmark, but also a Hollywood movie star. Therefore, he is the calling card of New York. It took 13 years to build a structure with a length of 1825 meters and a width of 26 meters. The grand opening took place on May 24, 1883.
The architecture of the Brooklyn Bridge began to emphasize the illumination at night since the 1980s. And in 2006, a well-camouflaged bomb shelter built during the Cold War was discovered. Large stocks of provisions and ambulance kits were discovered in it. Also connected with him is the tragedy that happened on July 2, 2014, at 19:40. At this time, part of it collapsed. 5 people were injured.
4
Henderson Waves, Singapore
The Henderson Wave Bridge was designed by the London and Singapore Architectural Bureau. Its construction started in 2006 and was completed in 2008. By its appearance, it resembles a snake wrapped around a large branch. It connects 2 city parks of Maun Faber and Telok Blanga Hill Park.
The steel frame is lined with boards from the Balau Forest, which at night romantically harmonize with LED lighting. The length is 294 meters and the width is 36 meters. What makes it the highest in Singapore and the most desirable to visit among the editors of most-beauty.ru.
Henderson Waves is Singapore's tallest bridge that tourists love. From the niches that are in each of the 7 waves and equipped with benches, you can watch the beauty of Singapore, meet the dawn and enjoy the sunset.
5
Golden Gate, San Francisco
The Golden Gate Bridge is a business card of San Francisco. His vocation is to connect the city itself with the southern part of Marin County. Residents dreamed of it, even before the start of construction. Since its opening, it has been the largest bridge in the world until 1964.
The length of the Golden Gate is 2737 meters, and the width is 27.4 meters, the height of the supports above the water is 227 meters. Construction began on January 5, 1933, and on May 27, 1937 at 6 o’clock in the morning the first pedestrians stepped on it. The next day, at the president’s signal, travel became possible for transport.
The bridge has its own sad story. Many decide to end their lives right here. The number of deaths exceeds 1200 in 70 years. Only a few manage to survive after falling from the bridge. The flight speed during a fall from the bridge reaches up to 100 km / h, the fall time is 4 seconds.
The youngest jumping one is a five-year-old girl, she was found with her father, who decided to commit suicide. There is a tablet dedicated to suicides, calling to change your mind.
6
Royal Gorge, Colorado
Photo by: SidewaysSarah | flickr.com
From the Arkansas River to the bridge itself, a height of 400 meters. Breathtaking from such a height. Not everyone will have the courage to step onto the bridge, realizing what kind of abyss is under his feet.
Royal Gorge construction cost 18 million US dollars. Construction lasted only six months and in 1929 it was opened.
Royal Gorge is 387 meters long and 5 meters wide. 2100, just as many steel threads hold the bridge, their weight is 300 tons. He himself can withstand a load of 100 tons.
7
Helix, Singapore
Helix Bridge is the world's first curved bridge. Outwardly, it resembles a DNA helix. This is a pedestrian bridge built in accordance with all the rules of Feng Shui. The opening took place in 2010, and the idea of architects is associated with the renewal of the human body. $ 83 million was spent on its technical uniqueness.
Helix has a connecting role, connecting the promenades and boardwalks. The peculiarity of the bridge in the form that opens from it. It has viewing platforms and benches that allow you to admire the everyday fireworks over the bay.
8
Rialto, Italy
The Rialto Arch Bridge is one of 4 bridges located on the Grand Canal in Venice. Previous structures built on this site were crumbling. It was built in the XVI century at the turn of 1588-1591. Critics frowned on the design of the young architect Antonio de Ponte, but it still stands.
Its length is 48 meters and a width of 22.9 meters. The height of the Rialto is 7.32 m.
9
Old Bridge, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The pedestrian arched Old Bridge passes through the Neretva River in Mostar. In 1993, the Croatian conquerors destroyed the predecessor bridge. The Old Bridge is its exact copy, opened in 2004 and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
It is 29 meters long and 4 meters wide. 24 meters above the water. Diving is an entertainment for tourists and the earning of local residents. Since the water in Neretva is very cold, you need high-quality equipment and an experienced instructor.
10
Ponte Vecchio, Florence
The oldest in Florence is the Ponte Vecchio bridge, located in the narrowest aperture of the Arno River. Its appearance has not changed since its discovery in 1345. From time immemorial there were butcher shops, today they sell jewelry and local souvenirs here.
The architect Neri di Fioravanti was able not only to construct a reliable bridge, but also to make it elegant. On both sides are houses of the XIV century, in the center of the spans of the building they end and open a flat observation deck. The design consists of 3 arches. Central - 30 meters, lateral on 27. Height ranges from 3.5 to 4.4 meters.
A feature of the bridge is the Vasari Corridor. Its architect made for Cosimo I so that he could listen to what ordinary people say and move freely. Another attraction of the place is the bust of Benvenuto Cellini, to which lovers fasten the locks of love. As well as the observation deck of Hitler, built during the Second World War.
11
Oresund Bridge, Sweden
The Öresund Bridge passes through the Öresund Strait and is the longest combined road and railway road. His main task is to combine Danish Copenhagen and Swedish Malmö.
The tunnel bridge accommodates 2 railway tracks and 4 motorway lanes. Its construction took 4 years. The construction was completed on August 14, 1999. In the middle of the bridge, the Prince of Denmark met with the Crown Princess of Sweden to mark the completion of the construction. It was officially opened on July 1, 2000. Fare is paid for those who enter Sweden; entry into Denmark is free.
12
Millau Viaduct, France
The cable-stayed viaduct, the last link of the A75 highway, crosses the Tarn River. He is responsible for high-speed traffic from Paris to Beziers.
The bridge was opened on December 14, 2004 under a concession agreement between the French government and the French design company, for a period of 78 years, 3 of which are for construction, the rest of the time is allotted for operation. Warranty period is 120 years.
The viaduct set 3 world records:
► The highest support in the world: P2 - 244.96 meters and P3 - 221.05 meters.
► The height of the support with a pylon: their height reaches 343 meters.
► World record for web height: 270 meters above the ground at the highest point.
► The length of the viaduct reaches 2,460 meters and a width of 32 meters. The height reaches 343 meters, which is 20 meters above the Eiffel Tower.
13
Bosphorus Bridge, Turkey
The Bosphorus Bridge was the first suspension bridge over the Bosphorus. It connects the European and Asian parts of Istanbul. Opened on October 29, 1973. At the same time, the construction itself was planned in 1950. At the time of opening, the bridge was 4 on the list of the longest suspension bridges. The longest outside of America. Today it is the 22nd in the list of the longest bridges in the world.
The length of the Bosphorus Bridge is 1,560 meters and the width is 33 meters. The roadway is located 64 meters from the surface of the river. More than 200,000 transport units cross each day, transporting approximately 600,000 people. The design feature is that pedestrian movement is completely prohibited on it. This is done to prevent suicides occurring regularly. Travel on the Bosphorus Bridge is paid.
14
Bridge of Sighs, Italy
The Bridge of Sighs is a masterpiece of architecture. One of the bridges of Venice crossing the Rio di Palazio canal. It was designed and built by Antonio Conti in 1602.
His vocation is to unite the courtroom - Doge's Palace and the prison building.
The name he received was far from romantic. Sighs belong to convicted people crossing a closed bridge and looking at Venice for the last time. There are several more similar Sighs in the world that are similar in appearance to the Venetian. This is the Bridge of Sighs in Cambridge (England), the Hartoid Bridge in Oxford. There are also in Germany, Sweden and Las Vegas.
15
Si-o-se Paul, Iran
Translated by C-o-se, Paul sounds like "thirty-three bridges" or "thirty-three spans." The construction began in 1599, and was completed in 1602. This is one of the 11 bridges of Isfahan that cross the Zayande River. The main task is to connect the city of Isfahan with the Armenian colony of Julfa.
The bridge is decorated with a traditional teahouse. Its total length is 290 meters and a width of 13.5 meters. In total there are 33 spans that explain the name. Both sides of the roadway are decorated with arcades.
16
Sundial in Redding
A sundial bridge crosses the Socramento River. Designed the Santiago Calatrava Bridge. In 1990, a million was allocated by the city, but the Calatrava estimate showed that it needed a million more. After some time, it was decided to allocate this money for the construction, as it was supposed to “recapture” it. And, indeed, already in the first year after the opening, the number of people wishing to visit the turtle bay increased by 42%.
Why does he have such a name? The fact is that this gigantic structure really serves as a sundial. The support is nothing but a 66-meter gnomon.
It is intended for hiking and cycling. Interesting can be called the fact that the Sundial is depicted on a physics textbook as a vivid example of the resistance of a non-standard design to natural forces.
17
Lupu, China
The main objective of the bridge is to connect the Shanghai Pudong business district and the old Luwan district. Lupu also performs an unloading role for transport routes. Construction began in 2000, and ended on June 23, 2003. The Lupu Bridge is 3,900 meters long and 28.7 meters wide.
Record: the second longest arch bridge, the first steel arch bridge in the world.
18
Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia
Heavenly bridge is called because of the design. The absence of lower supports gives the impression that it hangs in the air, as it is very high, connecting the peaks of Mount Ganung. It hangs on 8 cables mounted on one mount. Thanks to the wind, the illusion is strengthened.
The length is 125 meters and the width is 1.8 meters. Since it has curved shapes, its height is different at different points. This is done in order to consider the beauty of the island from different angles.
The opening of the pedestrian bridge took place at the end of 2004 - the beginning of 2005. A peculiarity is the way to climb it - it is a cable car 2.2 km long. Its beginning is in the Eastern village, and the end is on the first observation deck.
19
Chenyang, China
Chenyang is also called the bridge of rain and wind. Its construction was completed in 1916. During the construction, all the traditions of the Chinese people were respected. Beautiful gazebos under the roof for the opportunity to hide in bad weather. In total there are 3 floors.
An interesting fact: the lack of nails in the structure. Although it is built of wood and stone. Its length is 64.4 meters and its width is 3.4. The height is 10.6 meters from the water. The main task of the construction is to connect two large villages. The pass is paid and is 69 yuan. For students, the fee is half as much.
20
Magdeburg Water Bridge, Germany
The Magdeburg Water Bridge inaugurated in October 2003. In total, its construction took 6 years, 68,000 m³ of concrete and 24,000 tons of steel and about $ 640 million.
Its task is to connect the port of Berlin and the ports of the Rhine. Before the erection, everyone used the ships, which had to make a hook 12 km. Its length above land is 690 meters, and above water - 228 meters.
At most-beauty.ru you can find out about the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in Germany.
Conclusion
In the photo: Prague, Czech Republic.
Yes, many beautiful buildings have not been included in this list. Which of them do you think deserve to be in the ranking of the most beautiful bridges in the world? Write the answers in the comments.
And we decided to supplement our article with many photographs that show other no less beautiful bridges of the planet.