20 Most Famous Bridges in the World

•  Bridges have always been a popular attraction for tourists, as bridges offer both practicality and beauty. From San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge to London's Tower Bridge, these structures are not only essential for transportation but also serve as iconic landmarks. Tourists can admire the bridge's engineering and design while enjoying a scenic view of the surrounding area. Many bridges also have historical significance and cultural importance, which makes them more interesting to visit. Whether walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City or taking a boat trip under the famous bridge in Paris, bridge tourism offers visitors a unique and memorable experience.

• Bridge tourism can also be an opportunity to learn about the challenges and innovations involved in bridge design and construction. For example, Japan's Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is known as the world's longest suspension bridge, and its construction required sophisticated technology and engineering skills. The Millau Viaduct in France is another example of a bridge that pushed the limits of what was previously thought possible in bridge design, with its striking cable-stayed structure and enormous height. By visiting these bridges and learning about their history and construction, tourists can gain a deeper appreciation for the ingenuity and creativity of human engineering. Additionally, bridge tourism can be support local economies and businesses, as visitors can stay in nearby hotels, dine at local restaurants, or buy souvenirs from nearby shops. Ultimately, setu tourism offers a unique and enriching experience that combines practicality, beauty and cultural insight.

1- Brooklyn Bridge - New York City, USA ( See Map )

• The Brooklyn Bridge opened in 1883 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time.

• Building the Brooklyn Bridge was a dangerous and challenging process. More than 20 workers died and many others were injured during construction. Washington Roebling himself suffered from decompression sickness, also known as "the bends", and was unable to visit construction sites in person for several years.

• The Brooklyn Bridge was originally painted reddish-brown. However, in the 1880s, it was painted a light stone color to match the newly built City Hall.

•   On May 30, 1883, a rumor spread that the Brooklyn Bridge was about to collapse, causing panic among pedestrians on the bridge. Then 12 people died in the stampede.

2- Rialto Bridge - Venice, Italy ( See Map )

• The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal in Venice. The original bridge was built in 1181, but it collapsed twice and was rebuilt several times before the current stone bridge was completed in 1591.

• The Rialto Bridge features many works of literature and art, including Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" and Canaletto's paintings of Venice.

•   The Rialto Bridge is not the only bridge across the Grand Canal in Venice, but it is the most famous. There are three other bridges across the canal: the Ponte degli Scalzi, the Ponte dell'Accademia and the Ponte della Costituzione.

3- Pont du Gard - Nîmes, France ( See Map )

• The Pont du Gard is a well-known ancient Roman aqueduct spanning the Gardon River near the town of Vers-Pont-du-Gard in southern France.  

•   Built without mortar: The bridge was built in the first century AD without using any mortar or cement. Instead, the stones were carefully cut and fitted together using only gravity and the stone's own weight.

• It was used for centuries: Despite being built 2,000 years ago, the Pont du Gard has been used for centuries. It continued to supply water to Nîmes until the sixth century AD and was used as a toll bridge in the Middle Ages.

• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1985, the Pont du Gard was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of its historical importance and architectural beauty. It is now a popular tourist destination and a symbol of ancient Roman engineering prowess.

4- Millennium Bridge - London, UK ( See Map )

• The bridge was designed by British architectural firm Foster & Partners, in collaboration with engineering firm Arup.

•   It is the first new bridge to be built over the River Thames in central London in over 100 years.

• The bridge's distinctive suspension cables are designed to resemble the strings of a harp

•   The bridge is also known as the "Wobbly Bridge" due to initial stability problems.

•   The bridge has been featured in several movies and TV shows, including the opening sequence of the movie "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

5- Confederation Bridge - New Brunswick, Canada ( See Map )

•   The Confederation Bridge is the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. It spans the Northumberland Strait, known for its treacherous waters and shifting ice floes during the winter months.

•   The bridge took four years to build, from 1993 to 1997, and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

• The bridge is made of 65,000 tons of concrete and 33,000 tons of steel. It has a total length of 12.9 kilometers (8 mi), and consists of 44 spans, of which the longest span is 250 meters (820 ft).

6- Kapellbrücke - Lucerne, Switzerland ( See Map )

• Kapellbrücke, also known as Chapel Bridge, is a famous wooden covered bridge located in Lucerne, Switzerland.  

•   It is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and the oldest surviving truss bridge in the world. The bridge was built in 1333, making it more than 700 years old.

• The bridge is decorated with a series of 17th-century paintings depicting Lucerne's history and scenes from the lives of the city's patron saints.

•   In 1993, a fire destroyed most of the bridge, including many original paintings. However, the bridge was rebuilt and restored to its former condition within two years.

• The bridge also has a water tower, which was added in the 16th century and was used as a dungeon, archive and treasury over the years. Today, it houses an exhibition about the history of the bridge.

 7- Bosphorus Bridge - Istanbul, Turkey ( See Map )

• The Bosphorus Bridge, also known as the 15 July Martyrs Bridge, is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world with a total length of 1,560 meters (5,118 ft).
• Construction of the bridge began on 20 February 1970 and took three years to complete. It was officially opened to traffic on 30 October 1973.
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•   The Bosphorus Bridge has a unique design with two main towers that are 107 meters (351 ft) tall and the bridge deck is suspended by steel cables anchored to these towers.
• The Bosphorus Bridge has been used as a location in several movies, including the James Bond film "The World is Not Enough" and the Turkish film "Kurtler Vadisi: Iraq".

 8- Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge - Randa, Switzerland ( See Map )

• The Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, located in Randa, Switzerland, is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. It was opened on July 29, 2017 and spans 494 meters (1620 ft) across a valley at a height of 85 meters (279 ft) above the ground.

• The bridge was designed by Swiss engineer Christian Menn, who also designed the famous Thrift Suspension Bridge in Switzerland. It is made of steel and has a width of 0.85 m (2.8 ft). The bridge is designed to withstand winds of up to 200 km/h (124 mph) and is equipped with a vibration damping system to prevent it from swaying too much in high winds.

• The bridge was built to replace an earlier bridge that had become unsafe due to rockfall and erosion. It was named after Charles Kuonen, a local psychologist and brewer who donated funds for its construction.

9- Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco, USA ( See Map )

• The Golden Gate Bridge was completed in 1937 after four years of construction.

•   It is a suspension bridge that spans 1.7 miles across the Golden Gate Strait, connecting San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean.

• At the time of its construction, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world and it held that title until 1964.

•   The bridge's two main towers are 746 feet tall, making it the tallest structure in San Francisco until the construction of the Salesforce Tower in 2017.

• At high tide the bridge has a clearance of 220 feet above the water, allowing large ships to pass under it.

•   Since its opening, the Golden Gate Bridge has become an iconic symbol of San Francisco and one of the most photographed landmarks in the world.

10- Tower Bridge - London, United Kingdom ( See Map )

• Tower Bridge is not London Bridge: Many people confuse Tower Bridge with London Bridge, but they are actually two different bridges. London Bridge is a level bridge located upstream from Tower Bridge.

•   It is a bascule bridge: Tower Bridge is a bascule bridge, meaning it can be raised and lowered to allow ships to pass. The bridge has two bascules, each weighing more than 1,000 tons.

• It has a secret bunker: During World War II, a secret bunker was built under the south tower of the bridge. The bunker was used as a control center for London's anti-aircraft defense system.

•   It is a popular filming location: Tower Bridge has featured in many films and TV shows, including "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", "Sherlock Holmes" and "Doctor Who".

11- Sea-O-Say-Pol Bridge, japan ( See Map )

• Sse-O-Say-Pol Bridge, also known as Allahverdi Khan Bridge, is one of the most famous historical bridges in Iran, located in Isfahan, a city in central Iran. The name Si-O-Se-Pol means "Bridge of 33 Spans" in Persian, referring to the number of arches that make up the structure. The bridge was built in the early 17th century during the Safavid dynasty, commissioned by Persian ruler Shah Abbas I.

•   The Sea-O-Say-Pole Bridge is made of stone and is about 300 meters long. The arches of the bridge provide a stunning view of the Jayandeh River, which flows beneath it. The bridge was not only used as a means of transportation but also as a social gathering place and is still a popular destination for tourists today.

12- Clifton Suspension Bridge - Bristol, UK ( See Map )

The bridge was designed by the famous British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was completed after his death in 1864.

•   The bridge spans the Avon Gorge, a deep and narrow valley that was once thought to be impossible to cross.

• During World War II, the bridge was used as a lookout point for German aircraft and also mounted anti-aircraft guns.

•   The bridge has a toll booth and until 1949, pedestrians had to pay to cross the bridge.

• The Clifton Suspension Bridge was briefly used for bungee jumping in the early 1990s, but the practice was eventually banned due to safety concerns.

13- Iron Bridge - Shropshire, UK ( See Map )

• Iron Bridge is a famous landmark located in the town of Ironbridge in Shropshire, England. It was the first bridge in the world to be built entirely of cast iron and was built in 1779 by Abraham Darby III.

• The Iron Bridge was built to cross the River Severn and was part of the Industrial Revolution, allowing goods and raw materials to be transported easily.

•   The bridge was built using a technique called "dry arching", which involved building the bridge's arches without using any scaffolding or anchors.

• The bridge is over 30 meters long and has five arches, each arch spanning 7.5 meters.

•   The bridge was originally painted red, but was later painted black, which remains that color today.

14- Millennium Bridge - London, UK ( See Map )

• The Millennium Bridge, also known as the London Millennium Footbridge, is a pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the River Thames in London, United Kingdom. It was designed by architectural firm Foster & Partners in collaboration with engineering firm Arup and opened to the public on June 10, 2000.

• The bridge was originally called the "Wobbly Bridge" because of its tendency to sway from side to side when it first opened. It closed just two days after opening, and it remained closed for nearly two years while engineers worked to fix the problem.

• The bridge was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. who crossed it with the Duke of Edinburgh.

•   The bridge has a unique design, with a flat deck that slopes down towards the middle, giving it a subtle "V" shape.

15- Akashi Kaikyo Bridge - Kobe, Japan ( See Map )

• Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world, with a total length of 3,911 meters (12,831 ft). It spans the Akashi Strait between Kobe and Awaji Island in Japan.

•   The bridge was completed in 1998 after ten years of construction and opened to the public in April of that year. It was built to withstand earthquakes, typhoons and strong ocean currents.

• The bridge was built using innovative construction techniques including the use of high-strength steel cables and advanced welding techniques. The cables are made up of 37,000 individual wires and can support a maximum weight of 290,000 tons.

•   The bridge is illuminated at night with 1,737 LED lights, creating a beautiful and attractive display. The color of the lights changes depending on the season and special occasions.

• The bridge has three spans: the central span is 1,991 meters (6,532 ft) long, while the two side spans are 960 meters (3,150 ft). The height of the towers is 297 meters (974 ft) above sea level.

16- Forth Bridge - Edinburgh, UK ( See Map )

• Construction of the bridge began in 1882 and was completed in 1890. The bridge took 4,000 workers and 10 million rivets to build.

•   The Forth Bridge is a cantilever railway bridge, meaning it consists of three independent double-cantilever structures connected by a central suspended span.

• The bridge is made of 50,000 tons of steel, and when it was built, it was the largest steel structure in the world. It is still considered a marvel of engineering and a testament to the skill of Victorian era bridge builders.

•   The bridge has a total length of 2.5 kilometers (1.5 mi) and stands 110 meters (361 ft) above the water at high tide. At its highest point, the bridge towers 156 meters (512 ft) above the water.

• The bridge has been featured in several films, including "The 39 Steps" (1935) and "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957). It has also been the subject of numerous books, poems and songs and is an enduring symbol of Scotland's engineering prowess.

17- Vasco da Gama Bridge - Lisbon, Portugal ( See Map )

• Length: The Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe with a total length of 17.2 kilometers (10.7 mi).

•   Construction: The bridge was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's discovery of a sea route from Europe to India in 1498.

•   Design: The bridge was designed by the engineering firm Lusoponte, which also built the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon.

•   Materials: The bridge is made of steel and concrete, and it took three years to build. It was opened to the public on March 29, 1998.

•   Towers: The bridge has two towers 145 meters (475 ft) tall, taller than the towers of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

•   View: The bridge offers stunning views of the Tagus River and the Lisbon skyline. It is a popular spot for tourists to take pictures.

•   Cost: The total cost of the bridge was around €1 billion, making it one of the most expensive bridges in the world.

18- Nanpu Bridge - Shanghai, China ( See Map )

• The Nanpu Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Huangpu River in Shanghai, China. It was completed in 1991 and has a total length of 8,346 meters (27,408 ft).

• The bridge's main span is 846 meters (2,776 ft) long, making it the longest cable-stayed span in the world when it was completed in 1991.

•   The bridge was designed by Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute and Shanghai Urban Construction College.

• The bridge has a unique design with two towers that are tilted at a 60-degree angle, which is why it is also known as the "Flying Dragon Bridge".

19- Rialto Bridge - Venice, Italy ( See Map )

• The Rialto Bridge that stands today was actually the third bridge built on this site. The first bridge was made of wood and was built in the 12th century. It was replaced by a wooden drawbridge in the 13th century, which was replaced by a stone bridge in the late 16th century.

• Today, the Rialto Bridge is known for the many shops that line it. However, these stores were not part of the original design. In fact, they were only added in the 17th century, and many Venetians were unhappy about the commercialization of bridges.

• Over the centuries, the Rialto Bridge has faced many challenges, including fires and floods. In 1310, the wooden bridge collapsed during a festival, killing many people. The current stone bridge has survived several fires and was even damaged by a bomb during World War II.

20- Sydney Harbor Bridge - Sydney, Australia ( See Map )

• The Sydney Harbor Bridge, also known as the "coathanger" due to its distinctive shape, is a stilt-through arch bridge spanning Sydney Harbor in Sydney, Australia.

•   It was designed by British firm Dorman Long & Company Limited and opened on March 19, 1932.

• The bridge's arch consists of two 28-panel arch trusses, each weighing 39,000 tons (43,000 short tons).

•   The bridge took eight years to build and cost $6.25 million, financed by a public loan that was fully repaid by 1988.

• The bridge has a total length of 1,149 meters (3,770 ft) and a height of 134 meters (440 ft) from the port.