Connecting more than just land: Bridges around the world that inspire us

A bridge is the physical link between land, cities, states, countries, and, in the case of the Bosphorus Bridge, even continents. However, bridges are so much more than just a functional entity — they are tourist destinations, symbols in our skylines, historical landmarks, and architectural marvels. Better yet, they have the power to bring us together for shared experiences. Whether it’s a romantic stroll or an adventurous trek, ultimately bridges connect people.

In honor of these structures, that literally and figuratively link us together, we’ve awarded superlatives to some of the most awe-inspiring bridges around the world.

Most Photogenic: Golden Gate Bridge — San Francisco, California, USA

With its signature bright orange finish, the Golden Gate Bridge is an iconic image of California and the American West Coast. So it’s probably no surprise that many have named it the most photographed bridge in the world. Credit this to the bridge’s many interesting architectural angles or its bold presence in the San Francisco skyline, but this title can even be backed by research. David Crandall, assistant professor of informatics and computing at Indiana University, conducted a study tracking the tags on nearly 35 million Flickr images, confirming the Golden Gate’s photogenic reputation.

Most likely to be the center of attention: Dragon Bridge — Da Nang, Vietnam

In Da Nang, Vietnam, it’s impossible not to notice the whimsical and dramatic Dragon Bridge. Bright LED lights span the length of the structure as if this glowing dragon is floating in the night sky. The bridge also features a show-stopping fire-breathing effect out of the dragon’s mouth, truly transporting onlookers into a storybook scene. Yet in this case, the creature is not a fairytale villain. The dragon is actually a figure of luck in Vietnamese folklore, making it the perfect symbol to commemorate the country’s rich history.

Most likely to inspire a kiss: Rialto Bridge — Venice, Italy

The quintessential imagine of romance is a gondola ride along the canals of beautiful Venice, Italy. The dreamy city consists of islands separated by canals and connected by classic Venetian bridges. With its major form of transportation being boats instead of cars, it’s no wonder romance is abound in Venice. Along the Grand Canal, the city’s busiest transportation route, are four bridges, including Rialto Bridge. This bridge is the oldest of the four, and is considered by many “the heart of Venice.” With the beautiful view of the canal and the two city districts, it’s nearly impossible to resist a kiss over the bridge, or floating under it.

Most likely to bring the family together: High Line Bridge — New York, New York, USA

The High Line isn’t just a bridge; it’s a park as well. Originally built in 1934 for industrial trains carrying goods to and from Manhattan, it wasn’t until long after the trains stopped running that the city began a revitalization project. Today the High Line is a bustling public space that attracts tourists and residents alike to its magnificent views of New York City and the Hudson River. The beautiful gardens growing on the former rail bed harmoniously mix with the city streets 30 ft (9 m) below, making this park a great place for people to meet, take a walk, read a book, or have a picnic.

Most popular among dare devils: Millau Viaduct — Millau-Creissels, France

Not recommended for anyone afraid of heights, the Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world with its mast reaching 1,125 ft (343 m) into the air. The bridge spans over the valley of the river Tarn and was designed to cut nearly two hours of travel time from the south of France to the north. Considered one of the great engineering achievements of all time, the bridge adds hair-raising thrills to a monotonous road trip while giving drivers some incredible views of the French country side.

Greatest Comeback: The Leonardo da Vinci Bridge — Aas, Norway

In 1502, Leonardo da Vinci designed a bridge to cross over the Golden Horn harbor in what was then Constantinople (today’s Istanbul). However, the Sultan rejected the plan claiming it was impossible to build. Nearly 500 years later, the bridge was finally built, but instead in the town of Aas, Norway. It is da Vinci’s first civil engineering idea to actually be realized, and now pedestrians visiting the bridge are able to immerse themselves in this legendary artist’s world.

Most likely to create city-wide spirit: The Leornard P. Zakin Bunker Hill Bridge — Boston, Massachusetts, USA

The Zakim Bridge is an iconic feature of the Boston Skyline. Yet, in 2012, its halide lights were dimming, deteriorating the once shining image of the city. In the true Boston spirit, citizens advocated for a new lighting makeover. With the help of Philips Color Kinetics and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, the Zakim now uses a digitally controllable LED system, which guarantees a longer lifespan than the former halide lights. Today, the sleek architecture of the Zakim is even brighter than before, reinstating the bridge’s status as a symbol of pride for the city.

Most likely to take you back in time: Caravan Bridge — Izmir, Turkey

Most likely to take you back in time: Caravan Bridge — Izmir, Turkey

A simple stone bridge stands over the River Meles, in historic Izmir, Turkey. This bridge was built in 850 BC, making it over 2,860 years old and the oldest functioning bridge in the world. This means that visitors of this bridge actually get to walk the same steps as Homer, Ancient Greece’s first epic poet.

Most breathtaking views: Langkawi Sky Bridge — Pantai Kok, Malaysia

They say it’s not about the destination but the journey, and trekking to the peak of this bridge is an experience on its own. Visitors start in the picturesque Oriental Village on Langkawi Island to board a cable car with 360-degree views of the surrounding rainforest and waterfalls. When the car reaches 2,300 ft (701 m) above sea level visitors come upon the pedestrian sky bridge, which leads to an observatory deck with unobstructed sky and sea views, allowing guests to see all the way to Thailand. Between the trip to get to the bridge and the bridge itself, the entire Langkawi Sky Bridge experience is an adventure guaranteed to take your breath away every step of the way.

Visit our Pinterest board to discover more about the illuminating bridges that have inspired us.

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Connecting more than just land: Bridges around the world that inspire us

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