Bridges are a necessary measure and often are boring and gray structures, completely devoid of architectural delights. Let's start
10. Vasco da Gama (Portugal)
And we will start right away with the ex-record holder. The fact is that the Vasco da Gama bridge from Portugal literally a month ago resigned as the longest European bridge, giving way to a construction in the Crimea. The total length of the Lisbon bridge is 17.2 kilometers (against 19 Crimean). The first cars drove through Vasco da Gama on March 29, 1998. It is symbolic that exactly that year marks exactly 500 years from the moment the great navigator opened the waterway from Europe to India. The construction is so grandiose that during construction, engineers took into account the spherical shape of the Earth (if the Portuguese did not comply with this condition, the bridge would be slightly skewed).
9. Pont du Gard (France)
The legendary aqueduct of Pont du Gard, in France, is a building from the time of the Roman Empire. The latest research has shown that the bridge was built in the middle of the 1st century AD. The three-tier structure makes the Pont du Gard quite high (the bridge rises 47 meters relative to the horizon), while the length of the structure is 275 meters. Interestingly, the aqueduct did not use too much time for its original purpose. Gradually, the Pont du Gard turned into a bridge for carts, and in the mid-50s of the XVIII century it completely ceased to function, turning into a monument. By the way, the bridge on a banknote of 5 euros is nothing more than Pont du Gard.
8. Akashi-kaikyo (Japan)
It so happened that the fate of Akashi-Kaikyo twice intervened in the sad circumstances caused by the elements. One of them, by the way, became the final argument for the need to build this bridge. The fact is that once during a storm two ferries sank here (a ferry operated before the construction of the bridge), taking with them 168 lives to the bottom. The second time, Mother Nature complicated the task for the engineers by moving one of the pylons 1 meter by means of an earthquake. Thereby, all initial calculations were violated. Yet in 1998, Akashi-Kaikyo was open to the first cars. By the way, the construction is a record holder - it is the longest suspension bridge in the world.
7. Rialto (Italy)
Unlike our previous heroes, the Rialto is not a grand design, but a small pedestrian bridge. Outstanding appearance, the structure connects two shores of the Venetian Grand Canal and has a length of only 48 meters. Surprisingly, even such a miniature bridge is not completely set aside for crossing people. Directly inside there are shops that sell souvenirs and other tourist things. The history of Rialto dates back to 1588, when it was decided to build a stone bridge in the narrowest place of the Grand Canal. What can I say, for 4 centuries the design perfectly preserved not only strength, but also its original appearance.
6. Brooklyn Bridge (USA)
The legendary bridge connects the two so-called boroughs of New York - Brooklyn and Manhattan. In its design, the structure is a suspension bridge, and at the time of opening (and this, for a moment, 1883) had the longest suspended span in the world. It provides for both automobile and pedestrian traffic. In addition, it is possible to ride a bicycle. It is interesting that the cars drive on the sides, while the pedestrian zone is organized exactly in the middle of the canvas (and with a noticeable overstatement). In 2006, repairmen found a curious hello from the 1950s in the construction of the bridge - a bomb shelter with food and medicine was kept secret in one of the pylons.
5. Henderson Wave Bridge (Singapore)
Despite the sophisticated design and extremely unusual configuration, the Henderson Wave Bridge is quite an impressive structure. Its length is as much as 274 meters, and the structure rises 36 meters above the ground. However, quite statistics. It seems impossible to fall in love with this architectural masterpiece. Inside, the bridge is decorated with inserts made of special Balau wood, which in combination with warm LED-lighting makes the Henderson Waves a very atmospheric place. In the mornings, there are many joggers, during the day families with children walk here, in the evening the bridge is filled with a romantic aura - couples in love come here.
4. Tower Bridge (UK)
Of course, we could not but include in this list one of the symbols not only of London, but of the whole of Great Britain. Not so long ago, the Tower Drawbridge celebrated its 120th anniversary, and during this time there were a lot of interesting facts about this building. For example, initially each pylon had a spiral staircase inside and a pair of elevators for lifting and lowering to the upper tier during a divorce, but people preferred to wait until the bridge was brought down. In 1912, a pilot named McClean sent his biplane between the tiers of the Tower Bridge. The forced trick was successful. And 40 years later, another stuntman involuntarily, being a bus driver, no less successfully made a jump in his transport from one expanding wing to another.
3. Viaduct Millau (France)
Our next hero also did not pass the record. Officially, Millau Viaduct in France is considered the highest transport bridge in the world. Moreover, it is important to note that this does not mean the height at which the tier is located (here Millau loses to some other representatives), but the design as a whole. The decisive role in our case is played by Millau pylons, the length of the highest of which is 343 meters. Just think about it - it's higher than the whole Eiffel Tower! Of course, in this situation, the bridge looks extremely impressive. The 2.5-kilometer roadway for cars at the highest point reaches a level of 270 meters (you can imagine a view from the passenger window).
2. Old Bridge (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The smallest bridge in our rating today. Its length is only 30 meters and its width is 4. However, this is exactly the case when the size does not matter. The amazing beauty of the bridge is achieved through configuration and location. At the top, the canvas has an angular shape, while an ideal semicircle forms at the bottom of the tier. An additional effect is given by the fact that the bridge hangs over the Neretva River at a height of 24 meters. This was the reason for the emergence of a peculiar tradition: for more than 300 years, jumps from the Old Bridge have been happening here in the order of things. Not so long ago (in 1968) the fun acquired official status, and now every year at the end of July there are competitions.
1. Anshun (China)
China is often associated with antiquity. So our stone hero is no exception, because the bridge called Anshun was known at least in the XIII century. Marco Polo will not let you lie - in fact, this man described the bridge in all colors more than 700 years ago. However, even sturdy structures like Anshun need help. In 1980, the bridge reached such a deplorable state that it barely survived after another flood. Restoration work was started in 2003, and the main purpose of the restoration was the original appearance of Anshun. The task was completed, and now the bridge is a cult place, gathering dozens of cafes and shops for tourists around it.