Five of the Most Beautiful 'Photo Spot' Bridges around the World

April 14, 2021
BLOG NEWS & TRENDS

Bridges have a strong presence. For example, when we are walking or passing by a bridge, we always say we are crossing the "000 bridge". As soon as you get on the bridge, you no longer simply look ahead but start looking at the incredible scenes surrounding the bridge. Besides, most bridges are built with various aesthetic factors, forcing tourists and travelers to take out their cameras and smartphones. Like this, bridges are always in our daily lives and remain in our memories.

 

We have selected five of the most beautiful "Photo Spot" bridges around the world in this article. The current pandemic situation has made it impossible to travel and see these amazing bridges. That's why we have provided you with some information and some stunning "Photo Spots" where you can take incredible pictures once this pandemic is over. 

 

 

Pont Alexandre III  ㅡ  Paris, France

 

Pont Alexander III - 1 

What do you think makes Paris the most romantic city in the Word? The Seine River that passes through the center of Paris would be a firm answer undoubtedly. Then, what makes the Seine River one of the most beautiful and well-known rivers? I would say the stunning bridges crossing over the river.

 

There is a total of 37 beautiful bridges spanning the Seine river, and out of them all, the Pont Alexandre III is the prettiest and most elegant one that gathers most for photographs.

 

Pont Alexandre III - 2

 

Built between 1886 and 1900, the Pont Alexandre III connects the Invalides, Napoleon's tomb, to the Grand and Petit Palaces. From Pont Alexandre III, you can enjoy stellar views of these buildings as well as the Eiffel Tower, and thus this beautiful bridge is worth strolling at any time of the day.

 

Pont Alexandre III - 3

 

Check out the long, low curved arch that elegantly crosses the river with the package of museum-level artworks shaped in the style of Art Nouveau (lamps, lions, cherubs, nymphs, and four gilded statues of Winged horses)

 


Golden Gate Bridge  ㅡ  San Francisco, California

 

Golden Gate Bridge - 1

 

Do you know the most iconic and most photographed suspension bridge in the world?

 

If you’re a bridge lover, you can probably recall the bridge in the picture above, even if you can’t bring up the name right away.

 

The answer is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is one of the most internationally recognized symbols of San Francisco. Situated in the Golden Gate Strait, the bridge connects San Francisco to Marin Country, California. So far, it may sound like a typical bridge connecting one area to another. However, at the time of its completion (1937), it was sensational and became a landmark bridge in civil engineering history.

 

This bridge is so high that no ships have failed to pass under it (67m from the water surface). At the time, the Navy demanded that "the warship be allowed to pass under the bridge" at the time of construction. As a result, the distance between the water and the tower was 227m, making it the world’s tallest suspension bridge in the world until 1998. Until 1964, the Golden Gate Bridge was a suspension bridge with the longest main span (1,300m) worldwide. Although it has now lost all the world's best records, Golden Gate Bridge is still the best-known suspension bridge globally and is remembered by many for its aesthetic value and history.

 

Then, where can you take the best picture of this bridge?

 

Here are the best photo spots:

  • Hawk Hill – Go up to Hawk Hill if you want to have a photo of this beautiful bridge with the entire city of San Francisco in the background.
    Golden Gate Bridge - 2

  • Marshall Beach – This bridge is pretty even when viewed from the water level. All coastal areas are great for photography, but Marshall Beach is the top spot. The large rocks scattered along the beach are a great juxtaposition against the bridge.
    Golden Gate Bridge - 3

  • Alcatraz Island – To see the perfect side view of this bridge? Go to Alcatraz Island. A ferry ride is a bonus pleasure.Golden Gate Bridge - 4

Stari Most  ㅡ  Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Stari Most - 1

 

Ever imagined jumping from a bridge? In fact, there’s a spot where that happens quite often. Located in the city of Mostar, the Stari Most, crossing the river Neretva, boast the beauty of its structures and shape and the enjoyable content it creates the diving contest from the 27-meter high bridge. The event is trendy and attracts a lot of people from all around the world. Everyone is full of excitement as they wait to watch professional divers jump from the old bridge. Even tourists can join the diving or pay local divers to make the dive for viewing pleasure. Why not have a once-in-a-lifetime experience and capture the moment as a picture?

 

Stari Most - 2

 

Then, what about the history of this interesting bridge? Just looking at the bridge in the picture, you might think it's old, but it's a newly restored bridge.

 

The bridge originally was a wooden bridge supported by chains. However, in 1557 Suleiman the Magnificent commissioned a stone bridge to replace the old one and assigned Mimar Hayruddin to design it. The stone bridge stood for over 400 years until it was destroyed during the Croat-Bosniak War, and it was rebuilt in 2004 again as the shape we see today.


Brooklyn Bridge  ㅡ  New York, New York

 

Brooklyn Bridge - 1

 

When it comes to picking the most popular photo spot bridges in the world, we cannot miss this New York’s iconic Brooklyn Bridge. If you've ever visited New York, you probably took a picture on this bridge. Or if you’ve seen some Hollywood movies, yes, the bridge in the movie is the Brooklyn Bridge. (Featured in Spiderman, Godzilla, Enchanted, and a bunch more)

 

This walk-friendly bridge has an excellent environment for taking pictures. The designer Roebling originally designed the promenade solely for pedestrians' enjoyment. He deliberately placed it above the roadway, which made it possible for people to enjoy the city's fantastic vistas and river at a higher level.

 

He said that such walking across the bridge would be "of incalculable value in a crowded commercial city."

 

Brooklyn Bridge - 2

One of the impressive things about this bridge is that it was the first suspension bridge to use steel (wire). Up until the Brooklyn Bridge, iron was the main material for bridges and structures. However, Roebling had this brilliant insight into the strength possible with crucible-cast steel and claimed it was six times stronger. Now, everybody uses steel in bridge design.

 

At that time, building a suspension bridge was not an easy decision. In the 19th century, when the Brooklyn Bridge was built, due to the collapse of several famous suspension bridges like Yarmouth Bridge and Angers Bridge, suspension bridges were not popular in bridge design. Roebling added a (steel) web truss to each side of the roadway platform to solve that problem and increase the bridge's stability.

 

Lastly, if you look at this bridge's central span, you can see that it bows or rises slightly higher, unlike the typical bridge's horizontally straight shape.

 

Brooklyn Bridge - 3

 

The reason was not to block the waterway under the bridge. The central span had to be higher and longer, and also, the towers had to be heavier and in a higher position to stand the load of span. As a result, the two towers were the tallest in New York except for some church spires.


Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge  ㅡ  Liuzhou, China

 

Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge - 1

 

Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge or Chengyang Bridge (also called Panlong Bridge or Yongji Bridge) is located in Sanjiang County of Guangxi, China. Built in 1912, the Linxi River bridge serves as the link between two famous villages of the Dong ethnic minority.

 

What’s interesting about this bridge (you may already have found out by its look) is that it does not just consist of columns and decks above them as some common bridges.

 

Chenyang Wind and Rain Bridge - 2

 

The bridge has two platforms (one at each end), 5 pavilions, 19 verandas, and also three floors with the bridge itself.  The bridge is built to connect villages, but it also acts as a shelter to the village people, protecting them during wind and rain, as its name suggests. On the bridge, many activities occur, and it is also a great place to relax with friends.

 

In addition to the composition and uses of this bridge, there is another interesting fact about it. The bridge is entirely made out of wood and stone but in a creative way: no nails (or rivets) are used. Despite simple materials, the ingenuity of craftsmanship of Dong people made the bridge so sturdy that it still stands and is in constant use.

 

Subscribe S.O.S Newsletter

About the Author
Sky Lim | Junior CAE Consultant | MIDAS IT HQ

Sky pursued his Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from Korea University. Taking full advantage of his background, he observes the aesthetic aspects of civil engineering structures and analyzes and studies structures based on similarities and differences with architecture. He currently works as a Business Planning and Marketing Specialist at Midas IT's Overseas Business Department. 

 

Comments
Project Application Download the
Project Application

Please fill out the below form to
download 80 Masterworks of Civil Engineering

Read all