Sometimes inspiration can be found in the most unlikely of places. Take the humble bridge; some have been traced back to Roman times, others are continuously being built, but how much thought do we give to something that simply transports us from one place to another?
Necessity and practicality are words rarely associated with beauty, but some of the world’s bridges have become the ultimate symbols of their respective cities, such as New York’s Brooklyn Bridge or London’s Tower Bridge.
While appearance is often a factor, as technology advances, newer bridges can incorporate modern ingenuity into their construction, meaning that the most spectacular bridges on the planet are often a mix of aesthetically pleasing features and ingenious feats of engineering.
You may have previously thought of bridges as simply facilitating travel, but our selection of the world’s most incredible bridges could make you see these majestic structures through new eyes.
Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge, China
The Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge is the longest in the world
(Rex)
At 102 miles in length, this extensive bridge is the world’s longest. Opened to the public in 2011, it took around 10,000 people to construct it over just four years and cost $8.5bn. This incredible structure connects Shanghai to the town of Nanjing, the capital of China’s Jiangsu province.
Millau Viaduct, France
Millau Viaduct is the tallest bridge in the world
(Getty Images)
Surpassing even the mighty Eiffel Tower in height, France’s Millau Viaduct holds the current title of the tallest bridge in the world. With a structural height of 343 metres, the bridge opened in 2004 and straddles the Tarn Valley between Clermont-Ferrand and Béziers and Narbonne. For a different view of the statuesque structure, bridge enthusiasts can canoe underneath.
Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire
Ribblehead Viaduct is a great example of Victorian engineering
(Rex)
Comprised of 24 stone arches and sitting 32 metres above the moorland below, the Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the UK’s best examples of Victorian engineering. Built between 1870 and 1874, the bridge secured Grade II listing in 1988. Forming part of the picturesque Settle-Carlisle railway route, the bridge is located in the middle of the Three Peaks mountain challenge and is on the border of Cumbria and Yorkshire.
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