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Bridges are build to provide the short and quick way between two points. A lot of achievements in the field of architecture are achieved through bridges.They are also considered as piece of history that is stored for years.12 of most beautiful bridges of Europe are discussed below:

1- Millau Viaduct (Le Viaduc de Millau), France

This bridge is located in South France. It extends the valley of River Tarn. Although it is a cable stayed bridge but it is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world.It is only 38m shorter in length than the Empire state building.During its construction it broke down three other records as well.Highest pylons in the world, Highest mast (87m/285ft) of the world and the  Highest road bridge deck in the world. This bridge opened for traffic in 2004.

2- Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), Venice, Italy

There are total 4 bridges on the Grand Canal of Venice and Rialto Bridge is oldest of them. The first bridge on the canal is Pontoon bridge but Rialto has more traffic on it. It was replaced with a wooden bridge in 1255. But it was burnt in the uprising of 1310. After that it was rebuilt. But that new bridge was soon collapsed by the overloading of crowd that gathered there to watch the boat parade.

After this the authorities again started planning of rebuilding the  Rialto bridge in 1551.But this time there plan was to build the bridge with stones. So the bridge that is now called Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591. It seems quite similar to the one it replaced. it is the most photographed bridges of Venice. On either sides of the central walkway of the bridge there are inclined rows of shops.

3-Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

This bridge is the connection of Old Town and Mala Strana. It was originally called as Stone Bridge but later it became famous as Charles Bridge on the name of emperor Charles IV who placed its orders. Its construction began in 1357. But it was not the only bridge of that area. Judith bridge was the first bridge in that land but it collapsed in 1342. One both ends of  Charles bridge there stands the tower.

The tower of the bridge located in Mala Strana can be climbed and gives the magnificent view of the city from there.The bridge is decorated by placing about 30 statues on its either side.Most of these statues are copies of the original. The statue of St.John of Nepomuk is most famous of them.It is thought that touching this statue brings good luck. The best time to visit this bridge is sunset when the view of shadows made by Prague Castle is really beautiful.

4-Tower Bridge, London, England

This bridge is called as Tower bridge as it is located close to the Tower of London. It spans the Thames and is a combination of  bascule and suspension bridge. It has become the symbol of London from past few years. Its construction started in 1886 and it took 8 years to complete the bridge.

The central part of bridge is made as Bascule and it spans 61m while the two sides are suspension bridges and each span 82m.The walkway between the two towers of the bridge is part of Tower Bridge exhibition.Sometime people called this bridge as London Bridge but actually its the name of another bridge of London.

5 – Chain Bridge (Széchenyi lánchíd), Budapest, Hungary

This bridge connect the two parts of Hungarian capital Buda and Pest. It is the first connection bridge between these two parts. Length of bridge is 375m.This bridge was built by the same engineer named Adam Clark who dug the tunnel beneath Castel Hill, 8 years later the construction of this bridge.This bridge opened in 1849.

In 1945 Germans attacked Hungary and they destroyed the bridge. It was reconstructed to its original form in several years.In 1989 Hungarians protested for their freedom and independence on the bridge.And since then it has become a symbol of Hungarian liberty.Its interesting to know bridge and the tunnel under Castle are of  same length.

6 – Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

This bridge spans the Arno River in Florence. It is famous for the shops built along it. Initially there were shops of butchers but now these are occupied by jewelers and art dealers. This bridge was first appeared in notice in 996 but it was destroyed by the flood, So it was reconstructed again but could not stand along.Again it was constructed in 1354 and standing till now.

The concept of Bankruptcy started on its shops.There merchants sold the things on the table they had.When they were unable to pay their debt.Soldiers break there table and they could not sale any thing without the table.This was called bancorotto (broken bank). During world war II it was the only bridge left standing by Germans.

7 – Pont Neuf, Paris, France

This is the connection bridge of both the banks of lle de la cite.It is the oldest bridge over the river seine in Paris. This bridge opened in 1550, it was thought that is has been built to take the overload of Pont Notre-Dame.

In 1578 its foundation was built by the concept of pillars. It was the first bridge of Paris that was constructed not by the concept of supporting houses.For a very long time it remained the widest bridge of Paris.

8 – The Old Bridge (Stari Most), Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This bridge connects the two parts of the city of Mostar.It spans over the river Neretva. During the war in Bosnia in 1993 this bridge was destroyed.But it was reconstructed.The length of bridge is 30m.It has towers on both edges.Suleiman The Magnificent placed the orders of building the bridge in 1557, rest of details of its construction are not known.

9 – Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland

The oldest wooden bridge of Europe is Chapel bridge.It spans over Reuss river.This bridge was constructed in 1333.The purpose of bridge was to protect city from attackers.Major portion of bridge and the paintings in it caught fire in 1993.This brought a great damage to the bridge.But it was soon reconstructed.On the right side of  bridge there is Water Tower.Which was used as torture chamber,prison and watch tower in the past.

10 – Anghel Saligny Bridge, Cernavoda, Romania

This bridge was originally known as King Caroll Bridge.It spans over the Danube and Borcea rivers.Its construction started in 1890 and it was completed in 1895.At the time of completion it was the longest bridge of Europe and third longest bridge in the world.

Its length is 4037m and its height is 30 m above the water.So it easily allow tall ships to pass beneath it.A new bridge was built in 1987 right near the Anghel Saligny bridge.So this bridge is not used now, as new bridge is used in place of this one.

11 – Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri), Venice, Italy

This bridge is the connection of old prisons with the interrogation rooms in the Dodge’s palace.It spans over Rio di palazzo.Its construction started in 1600 and completed in 3 years in 1603. It is made up of limestone.

In 1993 Lord Byron gave bridge the name. He suggested that prisoners would sigh at the last view of Venice so the name of bridge should be Bridge Of sighs.However when the bridge was completed inquisition was no more in practice. According to legends if the Lovers kiss under this bridge, during the sunset they would have eternal love.

12 – Erasmusbrug, Rotterdam, Netherlands

This bridge connects the northern and southern halves of Rotterdam. It spans over the Nieuwe Maas River. It is a beautiful cable stayed bridge .This bridge is also known as Swan.Its construction completed in the year 1996. Length of bridge is 808m.

This bridge was featured in DJ Tiesto’s performance called Tiesto at the bridge, Rotterdam.In this performance a beautiful multitude of colored lights were attached to the bridge and on its right side fire works went off.

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