Bridges aren’t especially captivating, unless you want them to be. You’ll discover that you are actually very interested in bridges when you look for the top bridges in the world. These architectural and artistic feats have lifted bridge construction above its basic purpose of joining two elevated points to something much better.
Magdeburg Water Bridge (Germany)
The water bridge – or aqueduct – in Magdeburg, Germany was planned as a solution to a particular problem with the region’s waterways. It connects two canal systems Elbe-Havel Canal and the Mittelland Canal with the Elbe River and each other. Previously, the journey took a seven-mile detour and multiple locks to lower and raise ships between varying elevations. The bridge – originally conceived in the 1930s but only built after the Cold War was over is actually a set of multiple bridges with their own lock systems.
Pont du Gard Aqueduct (France)
Few civilizations have dabbled in the high art of bridge-making as the Romans, exemplified by their near-obsession with aqueducts. The Roman aqueduct network was intricate and spread out across its vast territory, providing its distant, arid colonies with a steady supply of water. That involved building bridges of all kinds, as the aqueducts had to be connected over many different types of natural obstacles.
Dragon Bridge (Vietnam)
At its most basic, there are only two ways to effectively build an impressive, timeless bridge. One is carefully studying the topography and weather conditions of the region, doing some calculations involving advanced concepts of architecture, and then meticulously putting it all together with the help of the construction team over the course of the next few years. The other is just building a regular bridge and putting a giant, fire-breathing dragon on it.
The Helix (Singapore)
The Helix is a pedestrian bridge in the Marina Bay area in Singapore, connecting multiple office and commercial establishments with each other over the Singapore River. It’s like most pedestrian bridges you’d have seen, only built in a complex, double-helix structure of DNA strands. First revealed to the public in 2010, the Helix was planned as a lighter, better-looking alternative to the vehicular bridge right next to the Bayfront Bridge.
Royal Gorge Bridge (USA)
The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado is the highest bridge in the country and one of the highest in the world, soaring about 956 feet above the Arkansas River. Built in 1929, the bridge connects the two ends of the Royal Gorge – one of the deepest canyons in the USA – and provides a spectacular view of the unique, sprawling landscape. The 1,260-foot-long bridge takes the usual canyon experience.