Ancient bridges of the world. The oldest bridge in the world. Langkawi Sky Bridge

This bridge is located in southeast China in Hunan province, near the village of Jiangong. Probably built during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The length of the bridge is about 10 meters and the width is 1 meter. It became famous thanks to a fastening that is rare for the southern regions of China - lugs made in the stone flooring are inserted into tenons on the supports.

Long pons bridge

This ancient bridge, built between 1368-1398, is located in Luzhou, Sichuan Province. The bridge rests on 12 pillars and is 54 meters long, 2 meters high and 1.9 meters wide. The eight upper parts of the supports, stylized as animal figures, add special beauty and charm to the bridge.

Jiangyong step Ying Bridge

Arch bridge in Shanggantang village - Hunan province. Construction of the thirty-meter, 3-arch bridge, 4.5 meters wide, began in December 1119 and lasted just over six years. Only in February 1126 it was completed. The strength of the bridge has been repeatedly tested by severe floods, therefore some parts of the structure have significant damage. During its long “life” it was reconstructed twice in 1336 and 1468.

Ryan gossip bridge

Ryan gossip is a bridge in Wenzhou. It was built during the reign of the Southern Song Dynasty (1174-1189) and connects the southern and northern shores Tao River. In total, the bridge is 25.4 meters long and 2.35 meters wide. The four main supports consist of five square pillars with beams laid on top. Long processed stone blocks with anti-slip engravings are laid on them.

Red Creek five-hole bridge

The old bridge, the construction date of which is unknown, is located in Zhejiang Province, Cangnan County. The bridge is built from 128 stone blocks and has a length of 24.6 meters and a width of 1.7 meters. In 1267, the bridge was reconstructed, as evidenced by the inscription carved on one of the ceilings

Anping Bridge

Probably the most famous bridge in China stands over the Shijing River near the village of Anhai, which in the past was named Anping, hence the name of the bridge. Its second name is the Five Li Bridge, since its length is approximately 5 Li (one Li is about 500 meters). Construction of the bridge began during the Southern Song Dynasty in 1138 and continued until 1151. After its completion, it was the most long bridge in China until 1905. Initially, its length was 2223 meters, but gradually part of the bridge was covered with silt, now its length is 2070 meters. The width of the bridge varies from 3 to 3.8 meters. It has 331 spans (originally there were 362 spans) of granite blocks lying on supports in the shape of boats and half-boats. The approximate weight of the largest block laid in the bridge is 25 tons.

Most old bridge in the world June 21st, 2018

The ancient Sumerian city of Girsu is located approximately halfway between modern cities Baghdad and Basra in southern Iraq. It is one of the earliest known cities in the world, with a history of at least five thousand years. Girsu was the capital of the kingdom of Lagash, a sacred metropolis in honor of the Sumerian heroic god Ningirsu, and continued to be its religious center after political power shifted to the city of Lagash.


It was in Girsu that evidence of the existence of the Sumerian civilization was first discovered in the form of thousands of cuneiform tablets with registers of economic, administrative and commercial issues cities. Over fifty years of excavation at this mega-archaeological site has revealed some of the most important remains of Sumerian art and architecture, including a 4,000-year-old bridge built of brick that is the oldest bridge discovered in the world to date.


Girsu was first explored by a team of French archaeologists in 1877, before modern excavation and conservation techniques were invented. The French were also not very keen to follow protocol and paid little attention to preserving architectural monuments. Treasure hunters then looted many of the artifacts and sold them to collectors. It is estimated that between 35,000 and 40,000 artifacts were looted from Girsu and subsequently appeared on the market, as opposed to 4,000 official French finds. Without a doubt, this is one of the most unique bridges in the world.

The Girsu Bridge was first discovered in the 1920s. At the time it was interpreted as a temple, a dam and a water regulator. Only recently was the structure identified as a bridge over an ancient waterway. Since its excavation nearly a century ago, the bridge has remained open and subject to constant exposure, without any conservation efforts to preserve the landmark.


The modern Arabic name for Girsu is Tello and the site is currently being used by the British Museum with funding from the UK government to train Iraqi archaeologists in management cultural heritage and practical fieldwork skills.

Restoring the 4,000-year-old bridge will be part of the curriculum, according to a recent statement from the museum.

Ponte Milvio Bridge

The oldest bridge in the world is a bridge located in Rome called Ponte Milvio, spanning the Tiber River, which is about 2,100 years old. The first mention of the Ponte Milvio bridge dates back to 207 BC. e. - these are the times of the 2nd Punic War between Carthage and Rome. Around 110-109 BC. By order of Marco Emilio Scauro, this stone bridge was built.

As a defensive structure

The Ponte Milvio bridge is famous for being the site of the battle between Constantine and Maxentius in 312. In ancient times, the Flaminian road (Via Flaminia) passed through the bridge, which headed to Adriatic Sea and connected Rome with the city of Ariminum, whose modern name is Rimini.

Throughout its history, the Ponte Milvio bridge has been an important defensive structure. In 538, during a battle between the Byzantine expeditionary force of Belisarius and the Goths, the bridge was significantly destroyed.

Long story

In 1335, during the armed conflict of Orsini, the column of the bridge was damaged again. The last time the Milvio Bridge was completely destroyed by Garibaldi's troops was in 1849. It was restored only in 1870.

The Milvio Bridge is also famous for the fact that many triumphs and conquerors passed through it to Rome, for example: Charlemagne in 799, traveling to Rome for his coronation, and Julius Caesar, crossing the Rubicon.

Until 1956, the Milvio Bridge carried car traffic, until it was added to the list of protected monuments in Italy. Nowadays the Milvio Bridge can only be crossed on foot. Its length is 136 meters.

Bridge for lovers

Ponte Milvio today connects the historical part of Rome with the peripheral areas of the city. Today, the Ponte Milvio bridge is famous for the fact that couples in love visit it; in order to capture their feelings, they hang locks on the lamp posts of the bridge, and throw the keys into the river (so that no one can break their love).

Several years ago, one of the bridge's lampposts collapsed under the weight of the locks, and in 2007 the authorities decided to remove thousands of these symbols of the strength of marriage from the bridge, but the public opposed this action, and the fortresses of the locks remained in their places, growing with new ones.

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We have all heard about various ancient buildings, but most of them are now just tourist attractions and are not used for their intended purpose. However, there are several bridges built hundreds and even thousands of years ago, along which people and vehicles actively move. Bridges are often destroyed during disasters, wars, burned down and exploded, but the structures on this list have survived centuries.

The ancient Romans created many things that have stood the difficult test of time. Thanks to their amazing technology, structures built in the Roman era still stand today. One of them is the Fabricius Bridge in Rome.

The bridge was created by Lucius Fabricius in 62 BC to replace the burned one wooden bridge. It is curious that for more than 2000 years of existence, the bridge has practically not been repaired.

Bridge Ponte Vecchio is in Italian city Florence. It was built in 1345 to replace a wooden bridge located at the narrowest point of the Arno River. It is still as magnificent as it was centuries ago.

Ponte Vecchio was originally used as a place for shopping arcades - butchers and fish shops were located on it, so that the smell of slaughter would not disturb the townspeople.

There is a version that it was here that the concept of “bankruptcy” originated. When the merchant had nothing to pay his debts with, the counter on which he placed his goods (“banco”) was broken (“rotto”) by the guards. This practice became known as “bancorotto”, because without a counter the merchant was no longer able to sell anything.

King Ferdinand I banned trade in fish and meat on the bridge in the 18th century, and since then jewelry and, later, souvenir shops began to be located on it.

It is curious that during World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence that was not blown up by the Nazis.

The Rialto Bridge is located in Venice and serves as a crossing over the famous Grand Canal. In its place there were many other wooden bridges that were destroyed by fires, and in the 16th century it was decided to build a stone bridge.

It was created by the little-known architect Antonio de Ponte. Even before construction began, the project was criticized, and after the construction of the bridge, many predicted that it would soon collapse. However, centuries have passed, and the post still stands in its place.

Russian traveler P. A. Tolstoy wrote about him at the end of the 17th century:

“In Venice there are many bridges, stone and wooden, between which there is one very large and wide stone bridge, which the Italians call Arialtom. On that bridge, on both sides, there are shops selling all sorts of small goods. Behind that bridge there are great rows in which they sell silver vessels and cloth. Great ships with goldfinches can approach under that bridge, because that bridge is very high, built on one arch and with a fair amount of work. The Venetian people are divided in two: those who live on the other side of this named Arialtu Bridge, where the church of the team of St. Mark is, are called churches; and those who live from those behind that great bridge, they are called Nikoliots, and have secret enmity among themselves over time. And there are great fist fights between the vile people of the Nicoliots and the Castellans. On that famous great bridge in those fist fights there is a lot of mortal killing.”

This arched stone pedestrian bridge over the Zayandeh River is located in the Iranian city of Isfahan. The Khaju Bridge consists of 24 arches, its length is 133 meters and its width is 12 meters. The bridge has two tiers decorated with tiles. It was built in 1650 - on the foundation of an old bridge. This structure performs three functions at once - at the same time it is a dam, a resting place and serves as a crossing point for the river. In the middle of the bridge there is a pavilion for the ruler - Shah Abbas II, in which he rested, admiring the river.

This bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs, is located in Yemen. Built in the 17th century, the Shahara Bridge connects two mountains over a deep gorge. There are villages on every mountain, and before the bridge was built, it was very difficult for their residents to communicate with each other.

This bridge is one of Yemen's main tourist attractions and is featured on the 10 rial coin.

Cendere Bridge is located in Turkey. It was built in the 2nd century AD by the Romans. This is one of the longest arch bridges of the era ancient Rome– its length is about 120 meters. It rests on two rocks and consists of 92 stones. The bridge was created in honor of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, his wife Julia Domna and their sons Caracalla and Geta. On each side of the bridge there are columns that are erected in honor of the emperor and his wife (on one side) and their children (on the other side). Currently there is no column in honor of Goeth. When Caracalla came to power, he killed Geta and tried to erase any mention of him - and Geta's column was destroyed.

Anji Bridge is the oldest surviving bridge in China, built in 605 AD. Its name can be translated as “safe passage”. At that time it was the most technically advanced bridge in the country, with the largest arch. Interestingly, modern engineers appreciated this bridge; it even received awards from the American Society of Engineering. The bridge has survived ten floods, eight wars and a large number of earthquakes, while it was repaired only nine times.

The Tiber River Bridge, built by Emperor Hadrian in 136 AD, is one of the most famous bridges in Rome and one of the most beautiful. It is lined with marble slabs. This bridge leads to the Castel Sant'Angelo, on top of which is a statue of the Archangel Michael. But this is not the only reason why the bridge is called the Bridge of the Holy Angel. In 1668, the sculptor Lorenzo Bernini decorated the bridge with ten angels. Even after many years, the angels and bridge are perfectly preserved, making it a wonderful attraction.

This small bridge, made of stone slabs, is located in the British Exmoor Park and connects the banks of the Barloe River. It is difficult to say when it was built; some researchers believe that it could have been created in 3000 BC. There is a local legend that says that this bridge is the creation of the devil himself, who has sworn to kill anyone who dares to cross it. They say that a cat was initially allowed across the bridge, and it immediately disappeared. Then local residents They sent a vicar across the bridge, saying that the devil would not dare to touch the clergyman.

The devil and the vicar met halfway across the bridge and made an agreement. Anyone can walk along Tarr Steps, but only if the devil is not sunbathing on the bridge at that moment. So the locals say: "Before you decide to walk the Tarr Steps, make sure no demons are sunbathing at that moment."

Unfortunately, Tarr Steps has suffered some damage over the centuries. Some of its stones were destroyed by floods, but the bridge is periodically restored so that it can serve for many more years.

The Arkadiko pedestrian bridge in Greece is the oldest surviving arch bridge. It is believed to have been built around 1300 BC, meaning it has gone through a lot before it survives to this day. This bridge is slightly wider than ordinary pedestrian bridges - about 2.5 meters; perhaps in ancient times chariots drove across it. The bridge is made of huge boulders, without any fastening mortar, but has remained unbreakable for millennia.

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Usually, when the conversation turns to ancient buildings that have survived to this day, they remember the Colosseum, Leaning Tower of Pisa And Egyptian pyramids. But in fact, there are buildings that, although they were built thousands of years ago, are still in use today. Vivid examples of such structures are bridges. Our review includes the 10 oldest of them.

1. Shekhar Bridge

Shehar Bridge, also known as the Bridge of Sighs (not to be confused with the Venetian Bridge), is located in Yemen. Built in the 17th century, the bridge connects two mountains, or rather the villages located on them, at an altitude of 2600 meters. The bridge leads over a 200-meter abyss.

In earlier times, Shekhara Bridge was the only way to the large mountain village of Shekhara and it was built not only for ease of communication, but also for protection from Turkish invaders. They say that local residents know how to collapse a bridge in just a minute, completely isolating a mountain village.

2. Ponte Vecchio


The Ponte Vecchio bridge was built in 1345 in Florence, Italy. As with the Fabricio Bridge, it was built to replace an old dilapidated wooden bridge. What's interesting about this bridge is that it was originally built with a bunch of shops on it, and it still remains that way.

Initially, these shops housed fish and meat traders, but in the 1400s, due to the unpleasant smell that spread throughout the area, the ruler banned trade on the bridge to everyone except jewelers and silversmiths. Today these shops house mainly souvenir shops.

3. Rialto Bridge


The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) in Venice was built in 1591, again to replace an old destroyed wooden bridge. It was designed by the architect Antonio de Ponte, who won a competition to design the bridge against Michelangelo and Palladio. Unfortunately, after its construction, the Rialto Bridge began to be criticized by all and sundry, from residents to art connoisseurs, who stated that the bridge was too “massive and awkward.”

However, such a bridge (with a 24-meter high arch so that galleys could pass under it, and a row of shops in the middle of the bridge) simply could not be fragile and graceful.

4. Khaju Bridge


In 1667, on the foundation of the old bridge, by order of Shah Abbas II, the 133-meter arched stone Khaju Bridge was built across the Zayandeh River. Apart from its main function, it also acts as a dam, but its most interesting aspect is the social aspect. An impressive pavilion was built right in the middle of the bridge for the recreation of Shah Abbas II and his courtiers. It had comfortable seats overlooking the river, teahouse and art gallery.

5. Fabricio Bridge


The Romans built many things that have stood the test of time. For example, in Rome you can see and visit the Fabricio Bridge (Pons Fabricius). The bridge was built by the curator Lucius Fabricius in 62 BC. to replace a burnt wooden bridge. A 62-meter stone bridge connects the island of Tiberina with the left bank of the Tiber. After a flood in 23 BC, the two consuls Marcus Lollius and Quintus Aemilius Lepidus made adjustments to the bridge to improve it (although which ones are unknown).

6. Jendere Bridge


The 120-meter bridge was built in Turkey in the second century to honor the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, his wife Julia Domna and their sons Caracalla and Geta. This is one of the longest arch bridges that were built by the Romans. On each side of the bridge there are two columns that were built in honor of Emperor Septimius Severus and his wife (on one side) and their children (on the other).

Currently, the Geta Column is missing. When Caracalla came to power, he killed Geta and tried to erase any mention of them. It was then that Goeth's column was destroyed.

7. Anji Bridge


The 50-meter Anji Bridge (also known as the "Great Stone Bridge") is the oldest surviving bridge in China. It was built in 605 AD to become one of the finest in the world. At that time it was the most technically advanced bridge due to the presence of the largest arch. The bridge has survived 10 floods, eight wars and countless earthquakes, and has only been repaired nine times.

8. Pont Sant'Angelo


The Ponte Sant'Angelo pedestrian bridge over the Tiber River in Rome was built by order of Emperor Hadrian in 136 AD. The Ponte Sant'Angelo is one of the most famous bridges in Rome and also one of the most beautiful. It leads to the Mausoleum of Hadrian (today it is the Castle of the Holy Angel). In 1668, sculptor Lorenzo Bernini decorated the bridge by creating 10 angels along its entire length. Each angel holds one of the symbols of Jesus' crucifixion, such as the crown of thorns.

9. Tarr Steps


Tarr Steps Bridge in the UK national park Exmoor 55-meter structure across the river Barlo consists of stone slabs. It is unknown who and when did this unusual bridge(some scholars suggest it may have been built around 3000 BC), but local legends say that Tarr Steps was built by the Devil himself, who swore to kill anyone who dared cross it.

10. Arcadico Bridge


The Arkadiko Bridge in Greece is considered the oldest surviving arch bridge in the world. Scientists believe it was built during the Greek Bronze Age, around 1300-1200. BC. Arcadico was part military road between the cities of Tiryns and Epidauros in the Mycenaean era. It is wider than a normal pedestrian bridge (about 2.5 m wide).

Historians believe that this was done so that chariots could safely cross the bridge. What's most impressive about Arkadiko is that it is made entirely of limestone boulders, without the use of cement.

For connoisseurs beautiful architecture You'll also definitely like the 5 pedestrian bridges that will make everyone's head spin. They are worth walking through at least once in your life.

 

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