According to Guinness World Records, the oldest datable bridge that is still in use crosses the River Males in Izmir, Turkey. Made of slab stone over a single arch, it dates to c. 850 BC and is a testament to the fact that for all the ways the world has changed, one thing remains the same: People never stop looking for a better way. And to those who think that bridges are all the same, perhaps they haven’t taken the time to observe them with thoughtful eyes. Every bridge has a story to be told—a journey that is not only unexpected and interesting, but also an affirmation that we really are capable of overcoming the obstacles in our way. Beyond the most obvious aspects of nature and surroundings, this is what makes bridges so beautiful.
The World’s Most BEAUTIFUL BRIDGES
A WONDER TO BEHOLD • It’s well worth the effort to stop and appreciate bridges
AKASHI KAIKYO
ALCANTARA BRIDGE
BANPO BRIDGE
BIXBY CREEK BRIDGE
BRIDGE OF SIGHS
BRITANNIA BRIDGE
BROOKLYN BRIDGE
CHAPEL BRIDGE
CHARLES BRIDGE
CHENGYANG BRIDGE
CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE
CLIFTON SUSPENSION BRIDGE
THE CONFEDERATION BRIDGE
CORONADO BRIDGE
FORTH BRIDGE
GATESHEAD MILLENNIUM BRIDGE
GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
GREAT BELT BRIDGE
HANGZHOU BAY BRIDGE
THE HELIX BRIDGE
IRON BRIDGE
KHAJU BRIDGE
KINTAI BRIDGE
LONDON TOWER BRIDGE
LUPU BRIDGE
MACKINAC BRIDGE
MAGDEBURG WATER BRIDGE
MILLAU VIADUCT
NANPU BRIDGE
OAKLAND BAY BRIDGE
OLD BRIDGE
ØRESUND BRIDGE
PONT ALEXANDRE III
PONT DU GARD
PONTE VECCHIO
RIALTO BRIDGE
ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE
SI-O-SE POL
STARI MOST
SUNSHINE SKYWAY BRIDGE
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE
SZÉCHENYI CHAIN BRIDGE
TSING MA BRIDGE
VASCO DA GAMA BRIDGE
Beautiful Bridges
PHOTO CREDITS
A WONDER TO BEHOLD • Every bridge has a story—a journey that is not only unexpected and interesting, but also an affirmation that humanity really is capable of overcoming the obstacles in our way. Beyond nature and surroundings, this is what makes bridges so beautiful.