Bridges of the world

From the Millau Viaduct in the South of France, which is so high that cars often drive above the cloud line, to the wind and rain bridges in China that were constructed without any nails or rivets, bridges serve to connect people. They play an important role in establishing and maintaining relationships, business or otherwise. The building of bridges is a science unto itself, as the techniques, designs and styles change to suit the need. Most bridges are used primarily to facilitate transport, but many also serve other functions, as thriving business markets and important tourist attractions, for example.

The Khaju Bridge in Isfahan, Iran is a prime example of a multi-functional bridge. It was built in 1650 by Shah Abbas II, using the foundations of an older bridge that crossed the Zavendah River. It’s 105m long, 14m wide and consists of two levels and 23 arches. It helps to regulate the flow of the river with the sluice gates that are situated beneath it. As it flows, it uses a series of steps to carry the water downstream to the lower levels. When the gates are closed, the water level upstream rises, so that the bridge also plays an important role in the irrigation of gardens along its riverbanks.

The upper level of the Khanju Bridge was split into a main central aisle, which was used for horses and carts, with paths alongside it for pedestrians. These days it’s accessed only by pedestrians, mainly tourists, who sit in the pavilions at the centre of the bridge and watch the world drift by.

The Bridge of Sighs in Venice used to connect the prison to the interrogation room in the main palace. It was named by Lord Byron in the 19th century, supposedly because the prisoners would look across at the view from their cell windows and sigh at what was usually their last view of the beautiful city. Made of limestone, it’s not particularly exotic, nor is it particularly large, old, or ornate. What it is though, is the most romantic bridge in the world. Legend has it that if you kiss you lover while travelling beneath it in a gondola, your love will last forever. There is tell of a proviso however, as the kiss has to happen at sunset, or else it’s just a regular kiss; in other words, eternal love is not guaranteed.

Italy is home to quite a few remarkable bridges, another one being the Ponte Vecchio that crosses the Arno River in Florence. This is another multi-functional bridge that serves as a street, marketplace and popular tourist attraction. The bridge is also very old. It is mentioned for the first time in a document dating all the way back to 996.

The bridge has had an eventful existence, having been swept away by floods twice, in 1117 and 1333, before it was resurrected in its current form in 1345. The builders found that reconstruction was rather more expensive than they had anticipated, and so to defray costs, they decided to rent out lots along the bridge to the local merchants. For the most part, only butchers and tanners expressed enough interest to move in, until the 15th century that is. Then Ferdinando I decided that the streets needed to be cleaner and more elegant and the foul smelling industries were moved out to be replaced by more refined jewellers and goldsmiths.

Despite all of the floods and perils of reconstruction, the only time that it has ever truly been in danger was during World War II, when German bombers were blowing up everything in sight, especially bridges. Fortunately Hitler appreciated the value of beauty (just not the beauty of all life) and gave a direct order that it was to be left unharmed.

Bridges can be so much more than mere tools for transportation. If you ever needed proof that human beings are capable of surmounting obstacles, just have a look at some of the engineering feats that went into constructing all of the bridges in the world. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, and not a little bit awed.

For more information on some fantastic bridges visit http://www.neatorama.com/2008/03/07/10-most-beautiful-bridges-in-the-world/

Other recommended sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaju_Bridge
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridge_of_sighs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponte_Vecchio

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