The most famous bridges

A bridge is one of the most ancient and romantic constructions built by people. Some bridges are famous all over the world; they attract thousands of tourists.

The Charles Bridge, the Czech Republic

This bridge across the river Vltava is one of the most famous places of interests in Prague. It was named after emperor Charles IV who laid the foundation of the bridge. The building started on July 9, 1357 and lasted 50 years. It resulted in an amazing bridge made of sandstone and some centuries later decorated by 30 baroque sculptures. The bridge has towers on its ends that earlier were used for defense. The length of the bridge is 520 meters, its width is 9,5 meters.

The Tower Bridge, Great Britain

The Tower bridge, one of the most famous landmarks of London, was opened in 1894. Its building started in 1886 and lasted eight years. The length of the Tower Bridge is 244 metres. It decorated by two 65 meter towers that are connected with each other by two crosswalks at the height of 44 meters. Due to these crosswalks you may cross the bridge even when its bascules are raised.

The Bridge of Sighs, Italy

It is one of the most famous bridges in Venice; the bridge was named so not because of sighs of lovers. It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. Its name derives from the suggestion that prisoners should sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice out the window before being taken down to their cells. The bridge of sighs was built in the beginning of the XVIIth century. It is decorated by baroque details: glyptic masks, bas-reliefs and figured gratings.

The Brooklin Bridge, the USA

The Brooklin Bridge that connects Manhattan with Brooklyn is one of the symbols of New York. It appears in many American films, for example, in ”Kate and Leopold”, a romantic comedy, blockbuster ”Godzilla” and many others. The bridge has been built for 13 years, from 1870 till 1883. Its length is 1825 meters, its width is 26 meters. The bridge consists of three spans. The length of the main span is 486,3 meters.

The Golden Gate Bridge

Its construction began in San-Francisco in 1933 at the end of March of and 1937 the bridge was opened. Its length is года 1970 meters and till 1964 the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. Its width is 27 meters, the length of the main span is 1280 meters. The bridge is painted in brick-red. The group of painters watches the bridge to keep the bright of its colour and protect its metal from corrosion м. However the name of the bridge doesn’t derive from its colour but because it crosses the strait that has the same name.

The Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge, Japan

The bridge also known as the Pearl Bridge connects two islands Honshu and Shikoku. It was included in Guinness World Records twice: as the longest suspension bridge and as the tallest bridge in the world. Its piers are 297 meters high, the length of the main span is more than the general length of the Golden Gate Bridge and is 1991 meters. The whole length of the Akashi-Kaikyō Bridge is 3911 meters. It was decided to built in 1955 when two two ferries sank in the strait during a storm, killing 168 children. But the bridge was opened only on April 5, 1998.