Top 7 Famous Bridges In The World

Around the world, bridges link any two sites separated by a predetermined distance. Some bridges are recognized across the world for their design and engineering. Bridges may be made of many materials and have various designs. Bridges of this type are built to span rivers, lakes, valleys, mountains, or any other natural feature.

Suspension bridges, arch bridges, Beam Bridges, cantilever bridges, bascule bridges, and truss bridges are all prevalent forms of bridges. Most of these bridges are also considered famous monuments and engineering marvels of their respective areas.

The world is full of unique, functional, and beautiful bridges. From the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to the Millau Viaduct in France, these incredible structures span the globe and stand above all as testaments to human ingenuity.

Some of the highest bridges in the world include the Duge Bridge in China, which spans a deep river gorge and has two towers 883 ft tall. The pier height of the Duge Bridge is 1854 ft, making it the highest bridge in the world.

The Millau Viaduct in France is the tallest bridge in the world, with 1125 feet at its highest point.

Now, let's discover some of the most famous and unique bridges nestled in the face of the world.

Famous Bridges in the World

1. Tower Bridge, London.

2. Golden Gate, San Francisco.

3. Millau Viaduct, France.

4. Duge Bridge, China.

5. Harbour Bridge, Sydney.

6. Brooklyn Bridge, New York.

7. Charles Bridge, Prague

Let's explore these famous bridges in the world, in detail!

1. Tower Bridge in London

Designed by Horace Jones and maneuvered by John Wolfe Berry, a reputed architect, along with the assistance of Henry Marc Brunel, Tower Bridge is a 1st-grade bridge with a unique combination of suspension and bascule bridge, crossing the River Thames and nestled in proximity to the Tower Of London.

Being part of the London Inner Ring Road, Tower Bridge is famous for its end-to-end connection between The Tower Hamlets in the north and Southwark in the south. The completion of the bridge led to excellent access to the east end of London. The bridge is approximately 800 ft long and also inhabits 213 ft two towers and a 200 ft bascule opening allowing the passage of the ships.

The Tower Bridge is one of the iconic landmarks in London and has been since the 19th century when the Prince of Wales opened it. Today, Tower Bridge is one of the critical powers for the people of London.

2. Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

A spanning suspension bridge was built across the bays of San Francisco connecting to Marine County in California's famous Golden Gate Bridge. Named one of the longest bridges to be built on the face of the earth in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge spans 4200 ft in length and 746 ft in height.

An example of architectural excellence is the Golden Gate Bridge in the City By The Bay, San Francisco. The structure has gained popularity in Hollywood and is considered one of the most gorgeous bridges in the world.

3. Millau Viaduct in France

Spanning the valley of River Tarn in Millau, the Millau Viaduct is a famous and prodigious cable-stayed bridge in France. Being named one of the tallest bridges in the world, Millau Viaduct is 1104 ft in height and spans a length of 8070 ft, connecting Clermont-Ferrand to Beziers.

Millau Viaduct is an architectural wonder crossing the Tarn River valley, designed by Dr Michel Virlogeux and opened in the year of 2004. The bridge also received a magnificent structure in 2006 and became one of the major attractions in France

4. Duge Bridge in China

Yet another enormous cable-stayed bridge, the Duge Bridge in China, also known by the name Beipanjiang Bridge. Surpassing a height barrier of 1640 ft, Duge Bridge has been named the highest bridge in the world. Opened in 2016, The bridge holds a lane spanning 4400 ft.

Duge Bridge is famous for adopting an H-shaped reinforced concrete structure. The bridge won the Nobel Prize at the 35th Bridge Conference in 2018. The bridge also won the highest bridge in the world by Guinness World Record. Duge Bridge efficiently improved the traffic conditions between China's bustling cities.

5. Harbour Bridge in Sydney

Sydney Harbour Bridge, the steel "Coathanger" that spans the famous Sydney Harbour, has a more extended history than it looks. The steel bridge, which took eight years to assemble, was completed in 1932 and boasted six million hand-driven rivets.

The hot sun in Sydney necessitated hinges that could withstand the steel expanding and compressing in severe temperatures. The bridge was the world's most significant long span until 2012, measuring 160 ft wide and over 3,700 ft, with the steel arch rising 440 feet above the ocean.

6. Brooklyn Bridge in New York

The famous Brooklyn Bridge took 14 years to build, but when it opened in 1883 to connect Manhattan and Brooklyn, the single span of 1,595 feet hung by four cables was breathtaking. It is still the case. The project, designed by John A. Roebling and built by his son Washington Roebling and his wife, Emily, has become a lasting emblem for bridge construction worldwide.

The Brooklyn Bridge's fame may have been established by P.T. Barnum's 1884 spectacle of herding a herd of 21 elephants across it. But now, everything about the Brooklyn Bridge is iconic, from the 15.5-inch diameter cables of 5,434 parallel steel wires to the limestone, granite, and cement towers.

7. Charles Bridge in Prague

The Charles Bridge in Prague, built of stone and ancient, spans the Vltava River in all its Gothic splendor. A massive building project began in 1357 and finished in the early 1400s with a 2,037 ft stone arch bridge connecting Old Town to the Prague Castle region in the Lesser Quarter, complete with 16 arches and 30 ornamental sculptures.

Charles Bridge made Prague a vital trade route between Eastern and Western Europe. Today, Charles Bridge is one of the world's most famous and most visited bridges.

Unique and Famous Bridges in the World - Bonus

Many other bridges are famous for their unique designs and engineering marvels. These include the Inca Rope Bridge in Peru, Die Rakotzbrücke in Germany, Living Root Bridges in India, and many more. Let's explore some of them!

Inca Rope Bridge in Peru

Part of the Great Inca Road System, the Inca Rope Bridge is one of the world's most famous bridges, located in the Quehue District of Peru. It is a simple suspension bridge in Peru used by the locals to cross the canons and rivers in Peru and is used to be annually reconstructed by the people of Quehue.

Die Rakotzbrücke in Germany

Taking about unique bridges in the world, "Rakotzbrücke Devil's Bridge" makes your guy's jaws drop. This is yet another one of the most famous bridges in the world, and it is strategically located in Kromlauer Park in Germany. The bridge is renowned for its perfect circle-like structure, formed from the water's reflection beneath Rakotzbrücke Devil's Bridge. The bridge is also renowned by the name "Die Rakotzbrücke," which means 'devi" among the Germans.

Living Root Bridges in India

Yet another unique yet famous bridge in the world, "the Living Root Bridge," is located in the Nongriat locale of Meghalaya state of India. A tribe called the "Khasi tribe" is said to reside in this dense forest area in Meghalaya, and the bridge used by this tribe to cross the river. The Living Root Bridge is made of raw forest materials, such as thick roots and wood. The bridge is essentially built to offer tribal accessibility for collecting raw materials and water from the dense forest area, and it connects to other remote places from their residing area.

Also Read: India's Largest Sea Bridge

The list of unique and famous bridges across the globe has no end!

Also Read: Best Architects in the World

There you go, folks. These are some of the famous bridges in the world that you may be familiar with.