10 breathtaking bridges and viaducts around the world

Most large cities were built near rivers. Over time, settlements grew and there was a need to connect the two banks. And if at first bridges were just a road over a body of water, now they are real works of art. OBOZREVATEL has selected 10 that are truly breathtaking.

1. High Bridge/Hoge Brug (Amsterdam, the Netherlands)

The second name - Python - comes from the interesting shape of the bridge. It was built by the famous architect Adriaan Geuze in 2001. In 2002, the structure received the prestigious International Footbridge Award. The 90-meter-long, bright red overpass is considered one of the symbols of Amsterdam.

2. Rialto Bridge (Venice, Italy)

The oldest bridge over the Grand Canal is located in its narrowest part. The Rialto was originally made of wood. However, the structure was constantly collapsing due to heavy loads. Thus, at the end of the 16th century, a stone passage was built here, which tourists admire today. By the way, this is one of the most popular locations in Venice, so there are many souvenir shops here. This makes the bridge even more unique, as there is practically no other bridge like it.

3. Manhattan Bridge (New York, USA)

Amazing in its massiveness, the bridge connects two famous districts of New York: Manhattan and Brooklyn. It was built over 8 years. The total length of the roadway is 2,089 meters. The bridge has two levels. The upper level is used for passenger cars. The lower one has 4 subway lines, a truck route, pedestrian and bicycle paths.

4. Széchenyi Bridge (Budapest, Hungary)

The first bridge across the Danube in Hungary symbolically connected two districts - Buda and Pest. Its construction was initiated in 1839 by one of the country's most famous reformers, Count István Széchenyi. The central arches are decorated with majestic lions that symbolize the power and ancient history of the city. During World War II, the structure was completely destroyed. However, in a few years the bridge regained its beauty.

5. Golden Gate (San Francisco, USA)

One of the US symbols is located next to a seismically active zone. Therefore, its construction was treated with special care. The design was developed by 3 architects at once, who argued over the smallest details for a long time. Thus, in 1937, one of the world's largest bridges was built. Its length is 2,737 meters. To ensure the reliable functioning of the road across the Golden Gate Strait, the structure was fixed with over 1,2 million rivets.

6. Tower Bridge (London, UK)

The amazing drawbridge is depicted on most souvenirs from London. It is designed so that the multi-ton wings that rise and let ships pass can open in just a minute. This performance fascinates tourists and remains in their memory forever. An interesting feature is the fact that people can move along specially equipped sidewalks between the two towers even when the bridge is open.

7. Helix Bridge (Singapore)

The bridge over the Marina Bay Strait is made in the form of a double DNA helix, which is constantly illuminated. The long iron structures have flashlights symbolizing nucleotides. The modern design solution looks even more stunning against the backdrop of one of the largest casinos in Singapore located next to the bridge, which is also a hotel.

8. Millau Viaduct (Creissels, France)

The highest transport bridge in the world is 341 meters high. It is even taller than the Eiffel Tower. It is designed in such a way that whole columns of trucks can move over the Tarn River valley without damaging the road itself.

9. Charles Bridge (Prague, Czech Republic)

The oldest bridge across the Vltava River in Prague was opened in 1402. Over the course of more than 6 centuries of its existence, it has been repeatedly damaged, but the local authorities have always restored it. The structure has survived almost unchanged to this day (at least its appearance and basic engineering solutions).

10. Banpo Bridge (Seoul, North Korea)

The Rainbow Fountain Bridge, or simply Banpo, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. All because of the incredible design of the passage, decorated with colorful streams of water. It shines at night like a real rainbow. Moreover, various light and music shows are often organized here.