Bridges

[Micchan]

Inspired by a question made in the interview thread

Post bridges!

Here's some italian bridges

Old bridge of Bassano del Grappa, 800 years old bridge made with wood, fixed many times during history, burned, bombed, sabotaged, famous for a WWI battle and for being in the lyric of the most famous song of the Alpini (the infantry specialized in fighting in mountainous areas)

The Ponte del Diavolo (devil's bridge) of Lanzo, over 600 years old, legend says that the bridge was built several times and always collapsed, so the villagers asked for help to the devil who built the bridge asking in return for the first soul to cross it, the first was a puppy and the angry devil slammed his foot to the ground deforming a rock

The Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) of Venezia, 700 years old tiny bridge all made with a special limestone from Istria, connects the old prisons with the old court, so called because the prisoners crossing it sighed while looking the outside world for the last time

 

[Angevin]

Ironbridge in Shropshire built in 1779, first bridge to be built entirely from Iron, which was smelted and cast locally in Coalbrookdale, the epicentre of the Industrial Revolution.

 

[Mitsuru]

Römerbrücke in Trier

The oldest bridge in Germany although not all parts of the bridge share the same age. It has been destroyed several times before, mostly in wars. Strangely enough though, it wasn't destroyed in WWII although German troops tended to blow up bridges that might help the enemy get closer into the country. American troops stormed Trier by crossing this bridge. It was - as far as I know - the only one the nazis spared. The street on top of the bridge is from 1931. What really makes it the oldest bridge in Germany are the pillars though because they were built between 142 and 150 AC.

 

[Micchan]

Ponte delle Torri of Spoleto

Built on the remains of a Roman aqueduct has random arcs and random measures, the pylons are not all equal and have different distances between them

290 meters long and 80 meters high is very big for medieval times, and sure isn't large

 

[Micchan]

Ponte Sant'Angelo of Roma

Built in 134 by Emperor Adriano, remodeled over the centuries, used to reach the mausoleum of Adriano (then renamed Castel Sant'Angelo), many statues have been added including the 10 major angels made by Bernini

 

[Micchan]

Ponte Trepponti of Comacchio

Built during the 1600 connects the various channels of the town that connect the inner harbor with the sea, it also worked as a fortification, its peculiarity is that it doesn't lead to a single place but you can choose from 5 different destinations

 

[Bear]

Unfortunately, no notable ancient bridges in Thailand. So have some modern one.

Rama IX bridge spanning across the Chao Praya river in Bangkok

Bhumibol bridge also known as the ring bridge spanning across the Chao Praya river too

Spoiler

Bonus class project spaghetti bridge. Held about 700g before failing

 

[Micchan]

Spaghetti bridge >>>>>>

Even if the ring bridge is very cool

 

[Micchan]

Bridge over the Basento river near the city of Potenza

560m long, built in the early 70s, unique structure and innovative construction techniques

Viadotto Sfalassà near the town of Bagnara Calabra

Built at the end of the 60s, 900m long and 254m high is the third highest bridge in Europe, won 3 times (record) the CECM European Award

Ponte della libertà (bridge of freedom)

The only way to reach Venice with a car/truck/train, built in the 30s, almost 4km long

 

[Bear]

Thai-Laos friendship bridge, name says it all nothing too fancy

Thai-Laos friendship bridge 2. Apparently, we really do like our friendship bridges as not included in this post is about half a dozen more finished/planned friendship bridges between different countries

The bridge on the river Kwai. Featured in the movie of the same name, it is part of the infamous Death Railway during world war 2 where POW and conscript are forced to construct a railway to Burma

Spoiler

Actually, the bridge depicted above isn't the same as the one in the movie as the real thing (shown above) is part of the death railway but it didn't even cross the river Kwai. Though that didn't stop the local from pretending it is for them sweet sweet tourism cash