Beautiful night bridges. The largest and most beautiful bridges in the world (20 photos)

Dancing, divorce, lovers - it's all about bridges. Some of them are known for incredible stories associated with them, others are distinguished by architectural delights. One of the most outstanding bridges in the post-Soviet space is the South Bridge in the capital of Ukraine Kyiv, which opened on December 20, 1990. Then it was the longest of the bridges in the former republics of the USSR. Today about the very best bridges in the CIS.

South Bridge in Kyiv

The bridge was built over the course of 8 years and at the time of its opening in 1990 it was considered the most modern and longest in the Soviet Union. $220 million was spent on its construction. The uniqueness of this bridge is that it combines automobile traffic and the metro line at one level.

The tower pylon of the giant bridge, whose height is 110 meters, is visible from almost anywhere in Kyiv. Inside the pylon there is a spiral staircase, which is used by repairmen and extreme photographers. Lanterns are built into the bridge towers, providing safety for flying aircraft at dusk.

Double-decker bridge in Khabarovsk

This bridge was seen by everyone who held a 5,000-dollar Bank of Russia bill in their hands. It depicts the Khabarovsk Bridge, which connects the banks of the Amur. The construction of this bridge in 1916 marked the completion of the longest railway line in the world - the Trans-Siberian Railway. The bridge was reconstructed in 2009. The uniqueness of the Khabarovsky Bridge is that it has 2 tiers - cars move on the upper tier, and trains move on the lower tier. The total length of the bridge with overpasses is 3890 meters.

Red Dragon Bridge

The road bridge in Khanty-Mansiysk, built in 2004 and connecting the banks of the Irtysh, is called “Red Dragon”, since the intricacy of its metal structures from a distance resembles some kind of fairy-tale creature sprawled on the river bank. The total weight of this structure, which was erected using the unique “arch-truss-beam” technology, is 11 tons. The total length of the Red Dragon, consisting of 14 spans, is 1315.9 meters. There is no other similar structure in Russia.

Krasnoyarsk Communal Bridge

Another bridge with a Russian banknote is located in Krasnoyarsk. His image can be seen on the 10-ruble note. The bridge was built during the time of Nikita Khrushchev, and for a long time it held the title of the longest bridge in Asia. The length of this bridge, which connected the banks of the Yenisei, is 2300 meters. The builders of the Krasnoyarsk Bridge used a unique technology: the construction and closure of the bridge arches without safety supports. This made it possible to significantly reduce the cost of construction and reduce its time. The tectonic image of the communal bridge made it one of the main symbols of Siberia.

"Dancing Bridge" in Volgograd

The bridge across the Volga, which is located in Volgograd, has glorified this city throughout the world. In 2010, the bridge was subjected to critical wind loads, which caused it to sway in the vertical plane. The amplitude of the bridge's vertical vibrations was then about 1 meter, but neither the bridge supports nor the road surface were damaged. This was the reason why the bridge began to be called “dancing”. The bridge was secured after installing special shock absorbers - dampers.

Suspension bridge in Semey (Kazakhstan)

The suspension bridge in Semey (Kazakhstan), which is only the 17th such structure in the world, was built with the participation of specialists from the Japanese company IHI. It passes through the Irtysh and connects Russia, Kazakhstan and China, but recently it was left without an owner, since the city is not able to maintain such an object. The total length of the bridge is 1086 meters, the length of the main span is 750 meters. The high pylons of the bridge have recently increasingly attracted suicidal citizens. There are several known cases when rescuers and police had to remove unbalanced people from there.

Bridge in Disna (Belarus)

The oldest road bridge in Belarus (it is said that it is more than a hundred years old) is located in the city of Disna, whose population is only 2,000 people. The bridge supports are made of stone, the spans are made of metal, and the decking is wooden. The latter fact is the reason why buses are prohibited from crossing this bridge.

Palace Bridge in St. Petersburg

Perhaps the most famous bridge in St. Petersburg, which is also a symbol of this city, spans the Bolshaya Neva and connects the center of northern Palmyra with Vasilyevsky Island. The construction of this bridge began in 1912, and already in 1916, 34 cars with a load of more than 600 pounds drove onto the bridge to test its strength. The decoration of the bridge was not done at that time - only wooden railings were installed. They were replaced with cast iron ones with Soviet symbols already in 1939, and individual wooden structures stood until 1978. It is worth noting that in 1917 the Palace Bridge was renamed the Republican Bridge, and its historical name was returned to it only in 1944.

No matter how hard the architects tried to “bring” the bridge closer to the water, it still covers more than half of the buildings of the Admiralty, the Exchange and the Kunstkamera. It was simply impossible to escape this, given the low banks of the Neva and the preservation of conditions for navigation. The length of the bridge, consisting of five spans, is 250 meters, and the width is 27.7 meters.

Today, during various events, the spread wings of the bridge are used as a projection screen for showing documentaries.

Zhivopisny Bridge in Moscow

The Zhivopisny Bridge in Serebryany Bor was opened in 2007, connects the banks of the Moscow River and is part of Krasnopresnensky Prospekt. There are many cable-stayed bridges in the world, but the design of the Zhivopisny Bridge is so unique that it has become one of the main attractions of the capital.

The bridge is an arched structure with a fan arrangement of cables. Noise barriers were installed on both sides of the bridge. At the top point of the arch, according to the project, it was planned to place an observation deck, but later questions were considered about placing a restaurant, a television studio and, finally, a registry office in a hanging ellipsoidal module. However, this unique facility has not yet been put into operation. The module itself (length - 33 m, width - 24 m, height - 13 m) is fixed on the bridge, but there are no elevators yet.

The length of the Zhivopisny Bridge is 1460 meters, the width is 37 meters, the number of cables is 72, the height of the arch is 105 meters. The bridge is raised above the surface of the water to a height of 30 meters. The bridge foundations are made on drilled piles with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a length of 20-40 meters. Each bridge foundation is based on 60 piles.

The longest bridge in Russia

The longest bridge in Russia is the bridge over the Kama River, which is the largest tributary of the Volga and is famous for its. The bridge is located near the village of Sorochi Gory and is an element of the P239 highway. The total length of the bridge, the construction of which began in 1992 and was commissioned in 2002, is 13,967 meters (1,608 meters passes through the Kama, and 69.8 meters and 549.9 meters across the Kurlyanka and Arkharovka rivers, respectively).

It is worth noting that the idea of ​​​​building this bridge was discussed back in Tsarist Russia, then it was returned to in the 1930s. After all, in the fall and during the period of ice drift it was simply impossible to cross the Kama. In winter, only cars weighing no more than 5 tons could drive onto the ice, and buses were prohibited from crossing the river. People had to cross the river on foot – 7 km. The longest Russian bridge solved all these problems.

In this collection you will get acquainted with the largest bridges in the world. But this will not be a simple comparison of length, area or height. Every year more and more new bridges are built, higher, longer and more unusual, so here I will talk about record-breaking bridges, since each of them at one time was the longest, largest, highest, or original. All the buildings on this list will stand out in some way, which is why they are worth paying attention to. I ask you to take part in the discussions, express your point of view and supplement the selection with buildings that you think are interesting.

1. We will start with the longest road bridge at the moment - Hangzhou in China. This is the longest bridge crossing the ocean - its length is 36 kilometers. You can take a virtual tour of Hangzhou using the link above. In the coming years, bridges will be built that will break the record of this bridge, but it will forever remain one of the longest and largest structures of its kind.

2. The tallest at the moment is the Millot Viaduct (Millo) in France. Its height is 343 meters, Millau also holds the record for having the tallest piers in the world, as well as the tallest bridge towers in the world

3. No less legendary bridge - the Golden Gate in San Francisco. For a long time (almost three decades) it was the largest suspension bridge in the world. He also holds the sad record for suicides. Almost every month some madman jumps into the water from it

5. The longest bridge in Europe is the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Portugal. Many compare it with Hangzhou, but Vasco da Gama still looks more elegant and organic, although it is inferior in length

6. No less famous is the Bosphorus Bridge between Europe and Asia, which unites the continents. It connects the European and Asian parts of Istanbul


7. A unique structure - the Japanese Pearl Bridge, built in the most seismically unstable zone of the planet. It is still the longest suspension bridge in the world, 3911 meters long.

8. One of a kind, the Banpo Fountain Bridge in Seoul was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest fountain on a bridge. The total length of the Moonlight Rainbow fountain is 1140 meters

9. It wouldn’t hurt to add a railway bridge to our review. The Forth Bridge in Scotland has long been the largest bridge in the world, and is also one of the first cantilever bridges in the world, as well as the first steel bridge in England. Doesn't the design look very impressive?

10. One of the most recognizable landmarks in New York, along with the Statue of Liberty, is the Brooklyn Bridge. It is the world's first bridge suspended on steel cables and also one of the first suspension bridges in the world. The length of the Brooklyn Bridge is 1825 meters

13. Did you know that bridges are not only pedestrian, automobile, or railway? Meet the Magdeburg Water Bridge. Various vessels sail along this kilometer-long technical miracle - barges, ferries, pleasure boats. This longest water bridge in the world connects two shipping canals - the Elbe-Havel and the Central German Canal.

14. Let's go to the other side of the world - to South America, namely to Brazil. Here is the only bridge in the world with an X-shaped support - the Oliveira Bridge. Thanks to the special shape of the masts, a height of 138 meters, 144 powerful steel cables and chic LED lighting, Oliveira has become one of the symbols of the city of Sao Paulo

15. One of the oldest and most famous bridges in Italy, the symbol of Florence - Ponte Vecchio. The bridge is unusual in that it is built up and inhabited by people; the famous Uffizi art gallery is also located here

16. At first I wanted to include in this collection all the bridges of the famous architect Santiago Calatrava, since each of his creations can safely be called a masterpiece, but in this case the topic would have grown to a huge size. Therefore, I simply advise you to follow the link above and read in detail about each of the structures. If you choose from all its bridges, I would highlight the White Bridge (Zubisuri) in Spain, built of glass and steel

17. Many people call St. Petersburg the city of bridges. I can’t disagree with this, there really is a huge number of beautiful and original bridges, about each of which we have a detailed article. In the general selection of bridges in St. Petersburg you will find detailed information about all structures

18. There is something to see in the capital of Russia; bridges such as Zhivopisny or Bagration can be safely included in this list. As always, you can read in detail about all the bridges in Moscow on our website

19. An outstanding example of Iranian architecture and one of the most famous landmarks in Iran is the Khaju Bridge. This is the oldest bridge in the East, as iconic as the Ponte Vecchio in Europe. In addition to its function as a bridge, it also serves as a dam and a water pipeline, bringing water to the gardens of the city of Isfahan

20. I would like to complete the selection with two bridges from the most romantic city in the world - Venice. The most famous Venetian bridge is the Rialto, the oldest bridge in the city of love, supported by 12 thousand piles. This is one of the most popular architectural attractions in Venice


The Bridge of Sighs is no less popular. The baroque arched bridge spanned the Palace Canal back in the 17th century and became famous thanks to its history, which you can learn about by opening a detailed article

This suspension bridge was built back in 1938 and became part of the Garden Ring along with another bridge. Then he was among the six bridges in Europe whose river spans were the longest. For Krymsky it is 168 meters. The bridge received this name because there was a ford in its place during the Crimean Tatars’ raids on Moscow. It was along it that the nomads crossed the river. Currently, the bridge is open to traffic for both cars and pedestrians. From the center of the building there is an excellent view of the capital's sights.

The bridge connects the Bresenevskaya and Prechistenskaya embankments. A large number of tourists always gather here, because from here there is a view of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In general, the bridge is made in a traditional style, reminiscent of Moscow in the 19th century. Almost immediately after its opening in 2004, “love locks” began to appear on the fences, which are customary for lovers to seal their marriage. It is also known that from 2008 to 2011, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recorded New Year's addresses to Russians on the Patriarchal Bridge.

This pedestrian bridge is part of the famous Moscow City complex. It was opened on the 850th anniversary of the capital. Bagration is a two-level building made in a futuristic style. The first level is a long, fully glazed gallery, and the second level is only partially glazed, since there is an open observation deck at the top. The Bagration Bridge is also considered a shopping complex, because shops, restaurants, cafes and other establishments are open on both levels. In 2004, on the first floor of the building, which ends the bridge from the Krasnopresnenskaya embankment, the sculpture “Tree of Life” by Ernst Neizvestny was installed.

The bridge that connects the Serebryany Bor park and the Krylatskoye district can be considered truly avant-garde. It crosses the river at an acute angle rather than perpendicularly. It is framed on top by a bright coral-colored arch. At the top there is an observation deck, which can be reached by elevator or stairs. It was planned that a restaurant would be opened at this highest point of the bridge, but the idea was never realized. They say that the reason was the inability to bring all the necessary communications to the site. Now Muscovites are waiting for the registry office to open on the bridge.

Today it is the oldest bridge in Moscow. Its history began during the reign of Empress Catherine II. By her order, the aqueduct (or, if translated into Russian, “water conduit”) began to be built in 1780. Construction was completed only after 24 years. Due to the enormous costs for the 18th century that went into this construction, the aqueduct began to be called the Million Bridge. But thanks to him, the center of the capital began to be successfully supplied with water from the north of the city. Today the bridge has been completely restored and is open to pedestrians.

The basis for this pedestrian bridge was the main arch of the former St. Andrew's Bridge. The builders even kept a sign with the history of the arch at the entrance, from the side of Pushkinskaya Embankment. On the other side, this bridge abuts the Frunzenskaya embankment. Externally, the structure looks like a wide, long corridor with a glass roof. You can cross to the other side of the river both inside and outside. The bridge also has an observation deck with free binoculars.

This fully glazed pedestrian bridge was built in 2001. At its base there is an arch from the old railway Krasnoluzhsky Bridge, the history of which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The bridge received its current name relatively recently - 10 years ago. Outside, behind the glass, there are viewing balconies that offer excellent views of the surrounding area. There are a large number of shops and cafes open inside. By the way, this bridge is associated with the achievement of a world record for kissing on bridges: in February 2002, 2,226 people kissed on it at the same time.

Not only abroad... 11 bridges of Russia that deserve to be recognized on photographs.

Golden Gate in San Francisco, Tower Bridge in London, Brooklyn Bridge in New York. These masterpieces of engineering are inextricably linked with their city, because a bridge is not just a road in the air, but also a business card, a tangible symbol that connects people, shores and even countries. By the way, Russia is not the last in the world in terms of the number of unusual viaducts that amaze viewers with their grandeur.

1. Zhivopisny Bridge, Moscow

It is no coincidence that the Zhivopisny Bridge spanning the Moscow River is considered a decoration of the capital. Opened in 2007, it fully lives up to its name: like a fan woven from huge red cables, the bridge cuts the river diagonally, revealing a truly beautiful view. On one side, the bridge meets Marshal Zhukov Avenue, on the other, it goes into the North-West Tunnel, one of the longest in Moscow.

However, the main highlight of the bridge is the glass ellipsoid, which floats in the air like a flying saucer. Initially, this capsule was supposed to become a restaurant, but the idea remained unrealized due to the impossibility of carrying communications here. Therefore, it was decided to convert the giant ellipse into a registry office, connecting the destinies of lovers at an altitude of 100 m above the ground. The opening of the “heavenly office” is planned for 2016.

2. Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

White nights and drawbridges are symbols of St. Petersburg. However, if the first ones can be enjoyed exclusively in the summer, then nothing prevents you from seeing the Palace Bridge, which opens every night. Note that it takes only three minutes to bring the span together and move apart, despite the fact that each lifting part weighs at least 700 tons.

During festive events, the divorced parts are used as a screen for showing documentaries. The rest of the time, the most “postcard” bridge in St. Petersburg, connecting Admiralteysky Island and the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, gathers couples in love, tourists and ordinary citizens.

3. Amur Bridge, Khabarovsk

The Amur Bridge is an example of amazing resilience. He withstood all the tests fate had in store for him. Among them were the First World War and the Civil War.

The construction of the “Amur miracle” at the beginning of the twentieth century was the final stage in the creation of the longest road in the world - the Trans-Siberian Railway. It is no coincidence that in 1908 the bridge project received a gold medal at the World Exhibition in Paris, and at the time of construction it was recognized as the longest bridge in the Old World, Asia and Africa (2600 m). Today it is considered an unspoken symbol of Khabarovsk, as well as the pride of Russia. His image can be seen on the 5000th banknote of the Bank of Russia.

4. Rope Bridge, Nizhny Novgorod

You can observe the beautiful Volga from a bird's eye view in Nizhny Novgorod. It was here that the longest and highest cable bridge (cable car) in Europe was built, serving as a crossing from Nizhny Novgorod to Bor (Nizhny Novgorod satellite town). Built using French technology, it is considered one of the most environmentally friendly and economical in the country. For 90 rub. Not only will you save time by avoiding traffic jams, but you will also be able to admire the picturesque landscape. The rope bridge is always popular among citizens and tourists seeking panoramic views.

5. Russian Bridge, Vladivostok

The Russian Bridge is one of the most ambitious projects in Russia. Built in 2012 in preparation for the APEC summit, it became the only road connecting the Nazimov Peninsula with Russky Island, where previously only ferries were used for transportation.

At the time of construction, it was recognized as the largest cable-stayed bridge in the world. The Russian giant boasts record-breaking pylons (about 320 m) and the longest span in the world (1104 m), which makes the pearl of the Eastern Bosphorus a magnet for foreign tourists. Thus, according to TripAdvisor, the bridge was included in the top ten most interesting tourist places in Russia, and National Geographic included Vladivostok in the top 10 cities with the most picturesque views of the sea.

6. Dancing Bridge, Volgograd

If you won’t surprise anyone with a dancing house in Europe, then the dancing bridge in Volgograd is still ready to strike a chord. In any case, in 2010, the news that he would deign to dance simply excited the Russian Internet community. The video about how the crossing of the Volga sways vertically in time with the wind was actively discussed on blogs and forums. Experts have not yet figured out what provoked the active dance steps, the amplitude of which reached 1 m, but traffic was suspended for several days. After damage to the supports was ruled out, the bridge began operating as usual again, and in 2011, dampers were installed - special devices to dampen excessive vibrations.

7. “Millennium”, Kazan

“Meңyellyk” translated from Tatar means “millennium”. That is why the bridge, built for the 1000th anniversary of Kazan, is decorated with a giant letter “M”, beautifully illuminating the water surface of the Kazanka River and the nearby streets of the city at night.

The design of the M-shaped bridge is unique in its own way: to create the anniversary project, both cable-stayed and beam systems were used simultaneously. Although a cable-stayed bridge can only be considered nominally, since given the existing span sizes, such a structure is technologically completely unnecessary and is used only as a decorative element. However, this does not prevent the “thousand-year-old” miracle from being considered the highest bridge in Kazan. Moreover, it is provided not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians, for whom an isolated sidewalk has been created, guaranteeing safe walking.

8. Skybridge, Sochi

Chilling horror and complete delight can be experienced on the Skybridge pedestrian bridge, located in the Sochi Skypark (the center of extreme adventures). A walk along this longest suspension bridge in the world (435 m) stretching over the Mzymta River will be a real test for anyone.

An unusual cable car is located above the Akhshtyr Gorge (200 m down), whose picturesque views make all the worries and fears worth it. And if heights don’t scare you, then you can also tickle your nerves at local attractions by jumping from a height of 69 or 207 m. For those who are not yet ready to dive headfirst into the abyss, observation platforms are equipped. Despite the apparent instability of the structures, the bridge is absolutely safe and can withstand colossal loads from hurricane winds to earthquakes. It is no coincidence that the preparation for its construction took three whole years. You can get to the adventure park by a free shuttle that departs from the Trout Farm stop, or by city bus No. 131.

9. Presidential Bridge, Ulyanovsk

Approaching Ulyanovsk, the beautiful Volga spreads up to four tens of kilometers in width. Therefore, you should not be surprised that it was in Ulyanovsk that the Presidential Bridge was built - one of the largest river bridges in Europe and the longest in Russia. Its length, including the approaches, is almost 13 km (the length of the bridge alone is 5.8 km).

Despite some provincialism, the Presidential Bridge is similar to the Golden Gate in San Francisco. A reminder of the Californian pearl is the design of the first support, which is surprisingly similar to the American prototype.

10. “Bagration”, Moscow

Watching the Moscow River, having intimate conversations while sitting on a bench, or just thinking about your own things while inhaling the tart aroma of hot coffee - all this can be done on Bagration, the first shopping and pedestrian bridge in the capital.

There are no strong winds here - the bridge is reliably covered with a glass shield against bad weather. It has two levels: panoramic windows are installed on the lower passage, and an observation deck is equipped on the upper passage, which is popular among tourists, lovers, as well as selfie fans and connoisseurs of the urban landscapes of the Moscow City center. On both tiers of the bridge there are shops, cafes and even a travel agency with a beauty salon, so you can become the proud owner of a trip for two or a trendy haircut.

Oddly enough, the idea of ​​turning a bridge into a shopping center is not new. The creators simply brought to life the medieval concept of bridge construction, when river crossings served both as an entrance to the city and as a meeting place for merchants and their customers. You can visit Bagration, woven from glass and concrete, from 7 am to 12 midnight.

11. Bugrinsky Bridge, Novosibirsk

In terms of the elegance of its lines, it is somewhat reminiscent of Zhivopisny in Moscow. And although the Siberian giant does not have a “flying” registry office, from a technological point of view it has no equal in the country: the bridge is surrounded by 156 cables attached to a record-breaking 380-meter arch, recognized as the largest not only in Russia, but also in the CIS. By the way, the grand opening ceremony in 2014 took place with the personal participation of the President of Russia.