Top 10 Most Famous Bridges

Following are some of the most famous bridges around the world. They are also often referred to as architectural marvels due to their novel construction and superb design.

 

1. Banpo Bridge (South Korea): The Fountain Bridge
Banpo Bridge South Korea

The Banpo Bridge in Seoul got a face lift on September 9th, 2008. A 10,000-nozzle fountain was installed which runs all the way down both sides. Soon after the installation, the bridge became an enormous tourist attraction. The bridge has the capacity to pump over 190 tons of water per minute from the river below.

 

2. Millau Bridge (France): World’s Tallest Vehicular Bridge
Millau Bridge France

This bridge towers apporximately 1,125-ft above the Tarn Valley, in southern France. To many, it is like a dream come true to drive along the Millau Bridge. The Millau Bridge is about 8,071-ft long, with the longest single span at 1,122-ft and a maximum clearance below of 886-ft. This bridge is truly an impressive sight to behold.

 

3. Henderson Waves (Singapore): Most Beautiful Pedestrian Bridge
Henderson Waves Singapore

This pedestrian bridge is 36 meters tall, rising 12 stories above the road. It is popular for being the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. This 300-metre bridge connects two parks, Telok Blangah Hill and Mount Faber.

 

4. Hangzhou Bay Bridge (China): World’s Longest Trans-Oceanic Bridge
Hangzhou Bay Bridge China

The longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world extends across the Hangzhou Bay and extends to over 35.673 kilometers (22 miles) in length. It hosts six expressway lanes in two directions. The bridge was constructed with a view to minimize traffic congestion and shorten the driving time between Shanghai and Ningbo.

 

5. Rolling Bridge (UK): The Bridge that Curls Up on Itself
Rolling Bridge UK

This award winning rolling bridge is situated in Paddington Basin, London and was designed by Heatherwick Studio. The unique feature of the Rolling Bridge is that it curls up until its two ends touch. In its horizontal position, it is a normal timber and steel footbridge. The bridge is about 12 metres long and is constructed in such a way that it has eight steel and timber sections with a handrail between each section.

 

6. Oliveira Bridge (Brazil): World’s First X-shaped Cable-Stayed Bridge with two crossed lanes
Oliveira Bridge Brazil

Opened in May of 2008, the Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge is constructed over the Pinheiros River in São Paulo, Brazil. Approximately 138 metres (450-ft) in height, the bridge links Marginal Pinheiros Freeway to Jornalista Roberto Marinho Avenue. Its design is unique in that it has an X-shaped supporting tower and 2 curved decks which cross each other as they pass through the tower.

 

7. Wind and Rain Bridge (China): Dong people’s bridge
Wind and Rain Bridge China

The Wind and Rain Bridge is the standing architectural form of the minority people known as Dongs. This bridge is the largest of its kind in Diping and also the largest in Guizhou Province, where China’s largest Dong community lives. It spans about 50 meters in length and is a purely wooden structure.

 

8. Tower Bridge (UK): The Famous and Beautiful Victorian Bridge
Tower Bridge UK

Designed by Horace Jones and Wolfe Barry in 1894, Tower Bridge is the most beautiful bridge and also one of the most prominent landmarks in London. This bridge has a length of 800-ft but raises in the centre to a maximum clearance of 140-ft, allowing ships to pass down the Thames.

 

9. Magdeburg Water Bridge (Germany): Europe’s Largest Water Bridge
Magdeburg Water Bridge Germany

This bridge links the formerly separated East and West Germany over the Elbe River, and was built as a part of the unification project. The bridge has a length of 1 km and enables river barges to avoid a cumbersome passage along the Elbe.

 

10. Ponte Vecchio (Italy): Oldest and Most Famous of its Kind
Ponte Vecchio Italy

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is one of the most ancient, fully stone-built segmental arch-bridge in Italy and has duly become one of Italy’s most noted tourist spots. It was originally built of wood though was later rebuilt using stone.

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5 Responses

  1. Tasmanian Devil

    What, no Sydney Harbour, no Brooklyn, no Golden Gate. These aren’t the most famous bridges. I would like to think I have a very good general knowledge and I’ve only heard of four of them.

    Reply
  2. mike

    I agree with the other posters, The Tower Bridge is the only one on this list that has the same level of fame and prestige as the Sydney Harbour, Golden Gate, and Brooklyn bridges. Maybe most of these are better examples of new, more innovative bridges (ok not all of them are new) but not the more famous than the three left out.

    Reply

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