For a long time, people have tried to embrace the immensity - to bypass mountains, cross seas and oceans. And for these purposes, special structures were created that amazed with their uniqueness and outstanding architecture. In this article, we will look at the most unusual bridges that have earned prizes and awards.
Old Europe
Let's start with the Kappelbrücke bridge in Lucerne. It is famous for its interior decoration: 17th century paintings that tell about the life of that time. Of the once 110, 25 have survived. The bridge itself was built in 1333 and rightfully bears the title of the oldest wooden bridge in Europe. Most of the structure was completely lost during a fire that occurred about 20 years ago. However, even today it attracts tourists from all over the world. Everyone wants to see this gallery bridge.
Well, the most ancient bridge in Europe is the famous Ri alto in Venice. It has been crossing the Grand Canal since 1181. For almost four hundred years it stood absolutely untouched, and only in 1551 the authorities decided to reconstruct it. They say that the famous Palladio and Michelangelo proposed their projects, butyoung Antonio de Ponte received the right to modernize. This caused criticism and mistrust in high circles, but the architect challenged, and the bridge is in perfect condition and still performs its functions.
The longest bridges in the world
So, the first place in this category is occupied by Chinese Danyang-Kunshan. The structure is exactly 102 miles long. The bridge is covered by the railway, which is part of the highest speed route for Beijing-Shanghai trains. Construction began in 2006 at a cost of nearly $9 million. The weight of the structure is simply colossal - more than 450 thousand tons!
Japan's bridges are a marvel of engineering. What is the unusual spiral bridge Kawazu-Nanadaru, built on a high mountain slope, or Kiki, made in the form of the letter "y" and hanging over the abyss without a single support. But perhaps the most significant project is the construction called Akashi - the longest suspension bridge in the world. Its total length is almost four kilometers! The bridge took twelve years to build. And the most interesting thing is that the architects did not try to beat anyone's record. It happened. In 1995, when an earthquake hit Japan, it became necessary to add a few more sections to the bridge, thanks to which it became a record holder. To date, the total length of all sections is 300 thousand kilometers. The Akashi Bridge is enough to circle the Earth 7.5 times!
Don't look down
The following are unusual bridges that are considered the mosthighest in the world.
So, the bridge called Millau in France. It is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The height of this masterpiece of technology is 342 meters. The triumphant opening of the project took place in 2004, the ribbon was cut by the President of the country, Jacques Chirac. According to official figures, the cost of the construction amounted to 394 million euros. Passing drivers enjoy views across France, and sometimes even into the clouds!
In 2009, the world was stunned by the opening of the Xi Du Bridge, which rises about 500 meters above the ground. It's taller than Big Ben, the Pyramids of Giza, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower! The bridge is located in the gorge of the Chinese province of Hubei. By the way, its construction was also very unusual. Due to the inconvenience of the terrain, it was not possible to use cranes or helicopters. Then special rockets were used, to which more than a kilometer of cable was tied. The rockets were transported to the other side of the gorge. So not only is the bridge itself unique, but so is the way it was built.
Another significant project in the "Unusual Bridges of the World" category is the Sky Bridge. Its other name is Langkawi. It is located in the Sky Bridge and can be reached by cable car. Langkawi is a pedestrian bridge. Its length is over a hundred meters, and its height is about 700 meters above sea level. Walking along the bridge, you can admire the most beautiful views of the tropical forests and Malaysian mountain ranges.
Unique design
Unusual bridges in Singapore that amaze the imagination are Helix Bridge and Henderson Waves.
Let's start with Helix. This bridge is unlike the others due to its appearance - it resembles the structure of DNA. The building opened in early 2010. The structure of the bridge is mainly made of steel. And the uniqueness is given to it by special lighting, which was achieved with the help of LED strips. This is what highlights this unique design.
Another amazing bridge in Singapore is the Henderson Waves. It was specially designed to give the outlines of the waves. The construction connects two city parks and allows you to admire the most beautiful views of Singapore. At night, the bridge is beautifully illuminated, which makes it even more mysterious. The main components of the structure are wood and steel. The tree serves as a decoration for the park area of the bridge, and steel is the structural basis. Henderson Waves are equipped with viewing platforms and benches, making them a great sightseeing spot.
Unusual arrangement of bridges
The Falkirk Wheel impresses with its appearance. After all, as the name implies, the bridge resembles a wheel. But the main feature of the project is its internal structure. To date, the Falkirk Wheel is not just a bridge, but the world's first and only ship lift. The design is able to make a turn of 180 degrees. The ship swims into the first tier of the bridge, then the structure rotates and moves the boat to the upper tier. This is truly extraordinary!
The Slauerhofbrug Bridge is a whimsical building in Leeuwarden. Its construction was caused by a huge amount of shippingtransport in the country. It was necessary to build a bridge that could lower and rise back quickly enough. And Slauerhofbrug became that solution. It was built in 2000 on the basis of hydraulics. The bridge has iron and steel structures that allow it to rise and fall 10 times a day.
Misty Albion
There are unusual bridges in England too. Tower Bridge is known all over the world. He is a visiting card of the country and a symbol of London. The discovery took place in 1894. The Prince of Wales attended. Tower Bridge is one of the most recognizable in the world. Its unusualness is not only in design, but also in construction: with the help of hydraulics, the upper part can move up and down. This allows large boats to pass under the bridge.
The Gateshead Millennium Bridge was opened by the Queen of England in 2002. Its uniqueness is that it is able to bend over. When the structure is tilted to one side, it turns into a pedestrian road, when it is tilted to the other side, large ships pass under the bridge.
Another unusual English bridge was named "Rolling". Its construction ended in 2004. On Fridays, the octagonal structure of the bridge is transformed. At the same time during the day he is going back. Such metamorphoses are possible due to the unique hydraulics. In general, both Tower Bridge, and Gateshead, and Rolling Bridge are drawbridges.
Golden Gate
On the American continent, it is worth paying attention to such large bridges as the Brooklyn in New York and the GoldenGateway to San Francisco. The Brooklyn Bridge was built in 1883 and has become a symbol of the city, its calling card and a real decoration.
Golden Gate is a symbol not only of San Francisco, but of all America. They are a kind of gateway to the continent. About $35 million was spent on the construction of the project. In 1937, when the bridge opened, it broke two records at once, becoming the tallest and longest suspension bridge in the world. Although the record was broken in the future, the Golden Gate is still popular today for its red color and magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean.
Moses Bridge
The category of "unusual bridges" should include another structure. It was built in 2011 in the Netherlands and named after the prophet Moses. The peculiarity of the bridge is that it, like a trench, divides the water flow on both sides.
From afar, the structure is absolutely invisible, made of wood and waterproof. Having crossed such a bridge, everyone can feel like Moses, before whom the waters of the Red Sea parted.
The bridge won the 2011 Best Building Award.
