From historical architectural triumphs to stunning views and vistas, Europe is filled with beautiful bridges that make for sights worth seeing that may not be on every guidebook. Throughout the continent’s history, bridges have served as important transport connections as well as strategic political and industrial tools and are often iconic parts of many cities. Whether you are looking to discover some of the best engineering feats across Europe or simply find yourself nearby to some of these great marvels, be sure to check out our picks for 10 brilliant bridges spanning across Europe.
Clifton Suspension Bridge – Bristol, UK
The Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol,
The world famous Clifton Suspension Bridge was designed by the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (legend), although he never lived to see his creation finished in 1864. Work initially began in 1831, but the project was constantly embroiled with political and financial challenges. By 1843, with only the towers completed, the project was ultimately abandoned. Brunel would sadly die in 1859 at the age of 53, but following his passing the Clifton Suspension Bridge was completed as his memorial.
- Date of Construction: Completed in 1864
- Why Is It Special: Designed in the early 19th century by one of the greatest engineers in western history for light horse drawn traffic, it still handles the demands of 21st century commuter traffic with 11-12,000 vehicles crossing it every day. The Clifton Suspension Bridge’s spectacular setting on the cliffs of the Avon Gorge has made it an important and defining symbol of the city of Bristol, and the bridge invites thousands of visitors each year to stroll across and take in the unsurpassed views of the ancient gorge, nearby Clifton and the larger city beyond.
- How To Get There: The bridge itself is located on the B1329 road in Bristol. Bus services 8 and 9 operate from Bristol Temple Meads train station and the city centre. The bridge is accessible from both stops: Clifton Village or Christ Church, Clifton. The Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitor Centre can be found on the Leigh Woods side of the Bridge, which opens daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walking and cycling across the bridge is free and the visitor centre is free.
Krämerbrücke – Erfurt, Germany
Krämerbrücke in Erfurt, Germany
Built originally as a wooden bridge, it was first established in the year 1117 and was occupied by traders, thus the name which means “Merchant’s Bridge”. Due to many fires, the bridge was rebuilt in stone in 1325, and today, after another fire, 32 buildings reside on the bridge. Shopping on the Krämerbrücke is still what the bridges is famous for, and along the many shops here visitors will find a wonderful mix of the best selling artisanry, including some of Europe’s most delicious chocolates and wonderful antiques.
- Date of Construction: named in 1117, first listed/documented in 1156
- Why Is It Special: Given a history of nearly a thousand years and still standing after so many fires that have destroyed the city of Erfurt time and time again, this bridge is true a gem of German architectural history. It is also one of the few bridges in the world that has buildings on it. The most famous festival of the city of Erfurt is named in honor of the bridge and is called “Krämerbrückenfestival”.
- How To Get There: The bridge is located in the German city of Erfurt. The Erfurt-Weimar airport is located around 6 km from the city centre, and it is also reachable by train and Fernbus from just about every large city in Germany, though depending on your connection you may have to switch trains during the journey. Visitors can also get there by car via the A4 and A71 federal motorways.
St. Michael’s Bridge – Ghent, Belgium
Looking towards the three towers of Ghent from St. Michael’s Bridge
St. Michael’s Bridge in Ghent is one of the more contemporary bridges on our list in terms of construction date. It is a stone bridge spanning the Leie that was built between 1905-1909 by Louis Cloquet. It replaced the previous swing bridge that offered crossings previously. In 1983 the bridge received ‘monument’ status, and is currently a protected for preservation.
- Date of Construction: 1905-1909
- Why Is It Special: From the bridge, visitors have a great view of some of the best highlights of Ghent, such as the Graslei and Korenlei, the castle het Gravensteen, and the 3 important towers of Ghent, Sint-Niklaaskerk, Belfort of Ghent and Sint-Baafskathedraal. When gazing to the southwest you can also find the Sint-Michielskerk.
- How To Get There: Ghent, where the bridge is located, is well connected with different cities in Belgium by trains, making connections here easy including from the nearest airport. Once at the city’s main station Gent-Sint-Pieters station, visitors can take tram 1 to the Korenmarkt, which is right next to the bridge.
John Frostburg Bridge – Arnheim, Netherlands
John Frostburg Bridge located Arnhem, Netherlands
The John Frostburg is an important road bridge over the Rhine river at Arnhem. The bridge is named after Major-General John Dutton Frost (1912–1993), who commanded the WWII British forces that reached and tried to defend the bridge during the Battle of Arnhem in September, 1944. The bridge was constructed between 1932 and 1935, but was destroyed during the Second World War (1940) by Dutch engineers. The Germans needed the bridge however, so a temporary bridge acted as a replacement while the road bridge was repaired. The bridge was finished in August 1944.
- Date of Construction: originally built 1932 -1935, and rebuilt in 1944
- Why Is It Special: The bridge was destroyed during the Second World War in 1940 by Dutch engineers as part of their resistance to the German advance. The bridge also featured as the subject the 1977 film A Bridge Too Far, although a different bridge was used for shooting in the film.
- How To Get There: The bridge, situated at the airborne square, is close to the central station inArnhem. It’s approximately a 20 minute walk from the station to the bridge. You can also take local transport buses 43, 60 or 33 for a quicker journey that will take around 8-10 minutes.
Puente de Ronda – Ronda, Spain
The Puente de Ronda in Ronda, Spain
The Puente de Ronda was built between 1759 and 1793 to replace an old bridge that was previously located at the crossing. The beautiful architecture of this bridge features a small central arch supported by another one through which the river passes. At the top, buildings house the offices of the bridge, however in the past these were used as a prison. The two semicircular arches for these buildings support the structure which holds up the street above.
- Date of Construction: 1759 – 1793
- Why Is It Special: In addition to the brilliant architecture and engineering that went into creating the bridge, the views to the town of Ronda are also particularly spectacular. Ronda is one of the most visited places in Andalucia, and being able to take in the view of the town from the Puente de Ronda is something not to be missed.
- How To Get There: The best way to visit the Puente de Ronda is to journey to the town by train. There is a train route from Madrid to Algeciras that stops at Ronda. It is also possible to get to Ronda bybuses from Malaga, Seville, Cadiz and all the main cities in Andalucia.
Ponte del Diavolo – Lucca, Italy
Ponte del Diavolo near Lucca, Italy
The Ponte del Diavolo in Italy, known as the Bridge of the Devil and also called Bridge of Magdalene because it shows a religious image of the saint, is a fantastic example of medieval engineering. Built in the 11th Century, the bridge was supposedly commissioned by the Countess Matilda of Canossa. The bridge also once could be found on the Via Francigena, the famous pilgrimage road from France to Rome.
- Date of Construction: 11th Century, and renovated in the 14th Century
- Why Is It Special: The bridge has a long history as well as an interesting legend attached to it. The legend goes that the master builder in charge of building the bridge was quite desperate because the project proved too difficult and he couldn’t finish it on time. So one day the Devil appeared and proposed a pact: he could finish the bridge in one day in exchange for the soul of the first person who crossed it. The master builder accepted but after the construction was done, he felt guilty and confessed everything to a local priest. The priest came out with a ploy and arranged for a white dog or pig (depending on the version of the legend) to cross the bridge first. The devil, realising he’d been tricked, became furious and jumped into the river. During the nights of October, people say you can see a white dog passing along the bridge – supposedly it’s the devil looking for the master builder’s soul.
- How To Get There: The bridge crosses the River Serchio and is located at Borgo a Mozzano, which is 21 km north of Lucca, in Tuscany. If arriving by train, travellers can take a regional Trenitalia train from Lucca to Borgo a Mozzano in about 20 minutes. Vaibus buses 464 or 466 from Viale Carducci in Lucca in the direction of Barga Fosso will take about 1 hour. One great and alternative way of getting there is by renting a bike in Lucca and enjoying the great landscape and nature along the way to the small town of Borgo a Mozzano.
The Millau Viaduct – Millau, France
An aerial view of the The Millau Viaduct near Millau, France
The Millau Viaduct Bridge is truly one of Europe’s most impressive engineering feats and is located in an area of France that is perfect for summer escapes and explorations. This cable-stayed bridge was designed by French engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster, and makes for an unforgettable crossing over the valley of the River Tarn in Southern France.
- Date of Construction: 2004
- Why Is It Special: This modern marvel also can be found on a number of top lists as it is the longest bridge in Europe at a total length of 2460 meters. It is also the 12th highest bridge deck in the world! Additionally, the construction costs for the bridge and the toll booth (located just north of the bridge) topped the €400 million mark.
- How To Get There: There are many ways to get to the bridge via car. You can take the RD 992 direction Albi/Toulouse, then direction Creissels and Brunas to reach the Cap de Costes-Brunas. FromMillau, take the D41 direction Comprégnac to go to Peyre, or take the A75 exit 47 “La Cavalière” direction Millau RD 809 to admire the panoramic view on the bridge. Finally, you can also stop at Pont Lerouge and enjoy the view of the sunset on the Millau Viaduct.
Highline179 – Reutte, Austria
The Highline179 in Reutte, Austria
The Highline179 is a pedestrian suspension rope bridge located in the Reutte natural park region. The bridge itself spans over a natural valley, and connects the Ehrenberg Ruins and Fort Claudia and is a breathtaking passage for visitors exploring the local area. Plans to build the Highline179 began in 1998-99, but the bridge wasn’t completed until 2014. While still very new, having only been built last year, it is already a popular attraction for those willing to brave the valley crossing. The bridge makes its lofty crossing 114 m above earth, and offers a two metre wide path – so those with a fear of heights may just want to stick to the local museum for the Ehrenberg Ruins. The bridge is very sturdy though, and can hold up to a maximum of 500 pedestrians.
- Date of Construction: 2012 – 2014
- Why Is It Special: The Highline 179 is currently the longest hanging bridge in the world with a length of 406 metres. It gets its name from the federal road B179, which is crosses over.
- How To Get There: The federal road B179 to Tyrol is the best bet to get visitors there, with the bridge located near Reutte. There is also a nearby train station at Höfen. As it is located close to the German and Austrian border, the German cities of Memmingen and Ulm are only 80/135 km away by car.
Ponte Luís I – Porto, Portugal
The Ponte Luís I in Porto, Portugal
The Ponte Luis I bridge connects the cities of Oporto and Gaia Vilanova, and was a replacement bridge for an original, older bridge, when the industry in the area during the 19th century expanded. To determine who would build the bridge, the government opened a competition for the “construction of a metal bridge over the Douro River, in the place deemed most convenient to the city of Oporto” in 1879. Many ideas and projects were presented, but the ultimate winner was the Belgian company Société de Willebroeck with their project engineer Théophile Seyrig. The bridge has two floors, with the top length at 390 meters and approximately 174 meters below.
- Date of Construction: 1886
- Why Is It Special: The bridge famously links the cities of Oporto and Gaia Vilanova, and this bridging recalls that the name Portugal comes from the union of these two cities: Porto and Gaia. The views from the upper floor offer visitors a stunning view of the Douro River and valley as it passes through the city and the neighborhoods on both sides of the river.
- How To Get There: Public transport from Porto to Vila Nova de Gaia that crosses the bridge includes a tram that uses the top level of the bridge. This is the easiest way for visitors to take in the best of the bridge.
Kapellbrücke – Lucerne, Switzerland
Kapellbrücke in Lucerne, Switzerland
Kapellbrücke translates literally as “Chapel Bridge”, and the name definitely refers to the style of covering on this bridge. This long wooden bridge has an impressive length of 204.70 m. Initially, the bridge was built as a defensive corridor and connected the old and new part of town.
- Date of Construction: The bridge was built in 1333, but in 1993 it burned down in a fire which prompted it to be rebuilt.
- Why Is It Special: The Kapellbrücke is the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe. Visitors passing along the bridge will find 111 triangular paintings under the roof that together tell of most important moments throughout Switzerland’s history. This is of course one of the major attractions in the Swiss city of Lucerne, which is situated gorgeously on the River Reuss.
- How To Get There: Travelling from Zurich airport to Lucerne on the train will take around 1 hour, and from Zurich central station it should take around 45 min. From Lucerne Central Station, the bridge is an easy 5 minute walk.
No comments:
Post a Comment