Bridges unite cultures and bring people together. They have always been an element of progress since these architectural works allowed us to overcome obstacles, and that is why many of the monuments we visit in
Bridges unite cultures and bring people together. They have always been an element of progress since these architectural works allowed us to overcome obstacles, and that is why many of the monuments we visit in cities are bridges. Here is a list of the 7 most beautiful bridges in the world.
1.-Charles Bridge, Prague
The Charles Bridgeis a marvel that looks great both at dawn and at night. It is named after Charles I of Bohemia and IV of Germany, whose reign was Prague’s heyday and when this bridge was built in the XIV-XV centuries. With sixteen arches and 516 meters long, it crosses the vast and mighty Vltava River, its longest river. On it, there are 30 statues of the 18th century in Baroque style of Czech saints and patrons, such as St. John of Nepomuk. On the entrance tower of the bridge, you can see the number 135797531, which means 5:31 a.m. on July 9, 1357, the moment when the king laid the first stone on the advice of astronomers who suggested this sequence of odd numbers.
2.-Chain Bridge, Budapest
This famous bridge was opened in 1849 as the first bridge over the Danube, guarded by lions and following the Charles Bridge’s example in Prague. It was destroyed by the Nazis and rebuilt later. It is a perfect place to contemplate the Danube River, the longest European river (except for the Russian Volga).
3.-Stari Most, Mostar
The Stari Most (Old Bridge) is one of the most incredible bridges in the world. Since the 16th century, it has always been the symbol of the union between the different peoples that inhabited Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflecting a peaceful coexistence. An example of Ottoman architecture, it was sadly dynamited in 1993 during the Bosnian war by the Croatian army. Rebuilt in 2004, it also serves as a stage for the mythical jump to the Neretva River.
4.-Golden Gate, San Francisco
The most typical postcard of San Francisco and one of the best known in the U.S. is the famous red bridge, which is so imitated in other cities around the world, such as Lisbon. It was finished in 1937 and is one of the most critical engineering works in the world. It measures about 2.8 km. Suicides were very famous here, so it is largely protected with a mesh and is heavily guarded, with checkpoints and cameras. It has three lanes in each direction, plus bike and pedestrian lanes. It takes quite a while to cross, but it is a nice walk.
5.-Rialto and Sighs Bridges, Venice
The Rialto Bridge usually serves as a union of the two parts of Venice. This bridge was built in the sixteenth century, was the only one that crossed the Grand Canal. It was (and still is) an eminently commercial area, with many stalls of goldsmiths, jewelers, etc… Also particularly famous in Venice is the Bridge of Sighs, known because prisoners sighed as they crossed this bridge that led them to prison.
6.-Ponte Vecchio, Florence
The Ponte Vecchio, over the Arno River, is one of the symbols of Florence. It is an inhabited bridge, as there are houses on it, and it is also full of jewelry stores. Dating back to the 14th century, it has three arches and, above all, a valuable history: its merchant past led to the coining of the term “bankrupt” here.
7.-Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, New York City
New York is the city of skyscrapers and urban bridges par excellence. It is that concrete jungle that inspired poets and originated so many different cultural movements. Thus, its bridges are a symbol, and perhaps the Brooklyn Bridge is the most famous. It was completed in 1883, and in that year, it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. After crossing its almost 2 km long, you will arrive in Brooklyn, specifically in the neighborhood of Dumbo, where there are incredible views of Manhattan. Another very photogenic bridge is the Manhattan Bridge, which connects the Big Apple with Williamsburg, the Jewish quarter.