After reading a news story about the first bridge on this list I started to wonder what other bridges are as pleasing to the eye as that one is. It seems there are plenty of bridges out there that are elegant in their design or for other reasons like lighting and coverings. As you drive over a bridge you might miss just how beautiful it is, but thanks to these images you can see them for the magnificent road structures they are…
Llangollen Bridge, UK
This otherwise overlooked, but scenic bridge was covered in over 100 handcrafted patchwork squares as part of the ‘Bridges Not Walls’ artwork and it looks delightful. It’s just a shame it will not last forever, but it is still there to see for now.
Rakotzbrücke Devil’s Bridge, Germany
Why is this bridge called the “devil’s bridge” It got nothing to do with the occult, it was called that by a European leader because he said, “something as beautiful and as miraculous as that must have been built by Satan.”.
Banpo Bridge, South Korea
In the day this bridge might go unnoticed even if you walk alongside it. But at night it comes alive and turns into a magical looking ‘Moonlight Rainbow Fountain’. It features 10,000 LED nozzles and 38 high powered water pumps that push 190 tonnes of tater through each of the 380 nozzles each and every minute. It was also the first double-deck bridge built in South Korea.
Helix Bridge, Singapore
When it was opened it was called the Double Helix Bridge, but it seems to have had its name shortened in recent years. But what you can’t take away from this bridge is its enchanting geometric arrangement of DNA. While it is a footbridge you could easily drive on it as it is more than wide enough.
Henderson Wave Bridge, Singapore
This undulating bridge opened in 2008 and is still the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore. You might think it gets its name from the designer of the bridge, but instead, it is called that because it goes over Henderson Road! The bridge has a unique wave-form that is made up of seven “ribs” that rise and fall over its pathway.
Lego Bridge, Germany
This otherwise pretty boring looking concrete beam bridge was given an art makeover in 2001 by street artist Martin Heuwold who repainted the bridge in the style of Lego bricks. In fact, it brought so much national and international media attention to the area that it still exists today and is often given a refresh.
Heatherwick’s Rolling Bridge, UK
This otherwise tiny footbridge across a strip of the canal in London would otherwise go unnoticed if it wasn’t for its folding up shape. This curling moveable bridge completed in 2004 cost over half a million pounds and was the work of architect Thomas Heatherwick (hence the name of the bridge).
Yongle Bridge, China
You might not notice the Yongle Bridge (formerly known as Cihai Bridge) if it wasn’t for the 120-meter high Ferris wheel that is actual built into it. But at night it becomes even more picturesque as it takes 384 people on a 28-minute slow turn around its structure with apparently very impressive views of the city.
Jacques Cartier Bridge, Canada
As with many of the bridges on this list, you might fail to notice it in the daytime, but at night the “Living Connections” artwork turns it into something special and it was done so to mark the 150th anniversary of Canada and the 375th anniversary of Montreal, but it still lights up even today and is scheduled to remain active until 2027.
Python Bridge, Netherlands
This bridge spans the canal between Sporenburg and Borneo Island in Eastern Docklands and was made in 2002 by the designer Adriaan Geuze. With its snake-like, wavy, undulating form it really does stand out even in the daytime.
Beauty is of course a matter of perspective, but I think these ten bridges are pretty wonderful to look at. If you know of any other beautiful bridges from around the world do let us know in the comments below.
