When we think of buildings that have survived to the modern day, we think of structures such as the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Piza, and the pyramids. But what about structures that are still in use—their original use—to this day?

While most ancient structures have gained a second life as tourist attractions, the humble bridge has often maintained its original use throughout the ages. Due to being built to last, there are many bridges out there that were built hundreds of years before our time and still see daily use. While old bridges often get destroyed in disasters, blown up in wars, or burned down in tragic accidents, the bridges in this list have survived the ages relatively unchanged.

10Pons Fabricius

The Romans built many things that stood the test of time. With their rigid and effective building techniques, a few important constructions built during the Roman era still stand to this day. If you’re in the mood to inspect their handiwork for yourself, simply take a trip to Rome and visit the Pons Fabricius bridge.

The bridge was built by Lucius Fabricius in 62 BC, possibly to replace a wooden bridge that had burned down. You can tell Lucius commanded its construction because he had it written on the bridge in four different spots.

After a flood in 23 BC, two consuls known as Marcus Lollius and Quintus Aemilius Lepidus added adjustments in 21 BC in order to help preserve the bridge, although it’s not stated what the improvements were exactly. It might have been the addition of the small arch on the bridge which serves the purpose of relieving pressure during high waters. That alone probably helped the bridge survive as long as it has.

9Ponte Vecchio

Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio can be found in Florence, Italy. It was built to replace a wooden bridge that didn’t stand up too well against floods, and it still remains in its original glory.

The interesting part of Ponte Vecchio (which translates into “Old Bridge”) is that it was built to contain an arcade of shops which is being used even today. The bridge used to be haunted by fishmongers and butchers in the 1400s, whose crafts caused the bridge to contain a foul odor. Given that Florence was becoming the hub of the Renaissance at the time, Grand Duke Ferdinand I had the merchants removed and the sale of fish and meat products on the bridge banned. He ordained that the only people who could sell on the bridge were goldsmiths and silversmiths, which helped develop Florence’s imagery to wealthy foreign visitors.

This bridge wouldn’t have made it to the modern day if it wasn’t for an act of respect performed during wartime. In World War II, as the German soldiers fled Florence, they blew up every bridge they crossed to stall enemy forces. Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge spared—they chose instead to destroy the access to the bridge, rather than the bridge itself.

8Ponte Di Rialto

An Italian bridge was constructed in 1591 to replace a wooden one that had collapsed. It was designed by one Antonio da Ponte, who had some stiff competition to design the bridge, with rivals being Michelangelo and Palladio. Unfortunately, once it was built, it didn’t go down so well with the locals. It received both praise and scorn from critics, who slammed its design for being “top-heavy and ungraceful,” the same attention the Eiffel Tower drew after it was built.

Despite the criticism, the bridge has remained very much intact since it was built. Given it had to have a 7-meter (24 ft) arch to allow galleys below as well as enough strength to hold up the row of shops that spans its center, it had to be structurally sound. It’s so sound, in fact, that cannons were fired from it during riots in 1797.

7Khaju Bridge

Built in 1667 on the foundations of an older bridge, this bridge’s construction was ordered by the late Shah Abbas II. Being a bridge, its main purpose was to allow people to cross the Zayandeh River, but it also has other uses. It acts as a dam and has sluice gates, yet its most interesting use is the social aspect.

While we’re unfamiliar with a bridge being the place to be used for social hangouts, that didn’t stop Shah Abbas II from trying. Along the bridge—and still visible to this day— is an impressive array of paintings and tile work. A pavilion was constructed in the middle so that Shah Abbas II and his courtiers could look over the scenery. These days, the pavilion is a teahouse and art gallery. If that’s not enough, within the pavilion was a stone seat which the Shah Abbas used to look over the river. The seat is still around but very much a remnant of its former glory.

6Shaharah Bridge

Also known as the “Bridge of Sighs” (not the one in Venice), Shaharah Bridge can be found in Yemen. Built in the 17th century, Shaharah Bridge is a path that spans a 200-meter-deep (650 ft) canyon in order to connect two mountains, Jabal al Emir and Jabal al Faish. It was a lot of trouble for the inhabitants of both mountains to visit one another, as it meant climbing down one mountain and scaling another. The bridge was made to better connect the villages on both mountains to save time and effort.

It wasn’t just a hot spot for transportation. Given that it was the only entrance to the town of Shaharah, it had to be fortified to help fend off Turkish invaders. It is said that the locals know how to destroy the bridge at a moment’s notice, isolating the villagers from danger.

These days, Shaharah Bridge is a major tourist attraction, and it still receives its intended use by the locals as a functioning bridge.

5Cendere Bridge

Also known as Severan Bridge, this was built in Turkey during the second century by four Kommagenean cities. Its intent was to honor the Roman emperor Septimius Severus, his wife Julia, and their two sons, Caracalla and Geta. While very old, it also holds the title for the second longest arched bridge built by The Romans.

On each side, there are two columns that were built to represent the members of the emperor’s family—Severus and Julia on one side and Caracalla and Geta on the other. If you go to look at them for yourself, you’ll notice the column that represents Geta is currently missing. This is because Caracalla assassinated Geta due to an ongoing rivalry, with reports saying that Geta was in his mother’s arms at the time. Caracalla went so far as to have Geta’s friends and allies put to death. For a final blow to Geta’s legacy, Caracalla ordained that any mention of Geta’s name should be erased from history, and the column representing Geta was destroyed.

4Anji Bridge

Also known as Zhaozhou Bridge, Anji Bridge is the oldest bridge in China, built in AD 605. You can tell it was designed to last, as its name translates to “Safe Crossing Bridge.” It was engineered to be one of the best in the world. At the time, it was the most technically advanced bridge due to having the largest arc. Long after its construction, the bridge was winning awards; it was praised as the 12th milestone of international civil engineering by the American Society of Civil Engineers and awarded a bronze monument.

Given that it’s still solid enough to cross, it’s obvious that the Anji Bridge, while very ambitious, didn’t cut any corners in its design. In fact, the bridge has stood up to even more than the test of time. It has managed to survive 10 floods, eight wars, and countless earthquakes, while only requiring repair work nine times in its documented lifespan.

3Ponte Sant’Angelo

Ordered to be constructed by Emperor Hadrian in AD 136, Ponte Sant’Angelo (Bridge of the Holy Angel) is one of the most famous bridges in Rome . . . and one of the most beautiful. It was a slightly self-indulgent act of Hadrian, as the goal of the bridge was to connect the whole of Rome to his own mausoleum, the Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel). They’re both labeled under the suffix “of the Holy Angel” due to the statue of the archangel Michael on the top of the mausoleum itself. The angel was said to have appeared in 590 BC on top of the same building and miraculously ended the plague in Rome.

One of the more beautiful additions to the bridge happened long after Hadrian was around to see it for himself. In 1668, sculptor Lorenzo Bernini enhanced the bridge by designing 10 angels to adorn its length, two of which he made himself. Each angel holds a symbol that represents the crucifixion of Jesus, such as a crown of thorns or a whip. Even after all these years, both the bridge and the angels still stand, making it a great sightseeing spot.

2Tarr Steps

Found in Exmoor, the Tarr Steps is what’s known as a clapper bridge—a bridge made entirely out of rocks resting atop one another. Given its construction, it’s hard to tell when it was built, although guesses range from 3000 BC to medieval times. The earliest documented description of Tarr Steps was in Tudor times, which means it dates at least to the 1500s.

Tarr Steps has a local legend that states that it was built by the Devil himself, who swore to kill anyone that dared to cross it. When the villagers sent across a cat to test the theory, the cat was vaporized. Then they sent across a vicar (who was probably worried about receiving the same fate as the cat) to meet with the Devil at the halfway point of the bridge. After he and the Devil had an argument, the Devil struck a deal: Anyone could use the bridge, but if the Devil wanted to use the area for sunbathing, the ban would resume. If you want to walk the Tarr Steps yourself, make sure there aren’t any sunbathing demons before you try.

Unfortunately, the Tarr Steps is a slight exception to the trend of bridges that have stayed mostly intact throughout the ages. Given that a pile of rocks doesn’t have the best of foundations, segments have been bowled over by floods through the course of history. For this reason, all the stones have been numbered so they can be recovered and placed back where they belong to keep the authenticity intact. Even though it’s been put back together several times, it’s still technically the same bridge.

1Arkadiko Bridge

The Arkadiko Bridge in Greece is the oldest surviving arch bridge still in use. It’s believed to have been built during the Greek Bronze Age, around 1300–1200 BC, meaning it has gone through a lot to make it to today.

It acted as part of a military road system between the cities Tiryns and Epidauros back in Mycenaean times. It has a wider berth than a normal footbridge, with a road width of around 2.5 meters (8 ft). Historians believe that this additional width was designed so that the bridge could handle chariots. What makes it even more impressive is that it’s made purely from limestone boulders, using no binding agent between the stones to keep the bridge intact. That means the bridge has lasted over three millennia from Mycenaean masonry skills alone and has survived it all.

S.E. Batt is a freelance writer and author. He enjoys a good keyboard, cats, and tea, even though the three of them never blend well together. You can follow his antics over at @Simon_Batt or his fiction website at www.sebatt.com.

There’s a lot to see in the USA. That includes numerous natural wonders, buildings, and even bridges. In fact, many bridges in the United States are well-known for several reasons, be it their history, total spans, overall appearance, or even the views they offer visitors. Here then, without further ado, are the 14 most famous bridges in the USA.

The 14 Famous Bridges In The USA

1. The Bixby Creek Bridge, California

The beautiful Bixby Bridge is reportedly an exceptional example of architecture. It stands 218 feet high and extends a total of 714 feet over Bixby Creek. It connects Big Sur to San Francisco.

One of the country’s most photographed bridges, it was built from 600,000 pounds of steel and 6,600 cubic yards of cement. Its overall design adheres to the classic California entertainment industry architectural style. Veteran visitors say that this bridge somehow contributes to the particular “majestic nature” of traveling from one place to the other.  

2. The Brooklyn Bridge, New York

This bridge, made famous in cartoons, movies, and television, was specifically constructed across the East River to join Lower Manhattan to Brooklyn Heights. It was designed by German-American engineer John A. Roebling and took 14 years to complete. It was officially opened in 1883.  

The bridge has been a National Historic Landmark since 1964. It is at least 272 feet high, has a length of 1.1 miles, and is 6,016 feet long. Its main span is 1,595.5 feet. One of the oldest suspension bridges, it is also a pedestrian bridge and a six-lane traffic bridge.

3. The London Bridge, Arizona

This bridge is thus named because it once spanned the River Thames. Sometime in the 1960s, Ivan Luckin, one of the city councilors, sold the bridge to the US. It was delivered to the state of Arizona in 1967.  

It was reinforced to make sure it was safe. The work was completed in 1971. The bridge stretches 930 feet across Bridgewater Channel, joining popular Lake Havasu City to a small island that is home to homes, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and shops. It still has many of the original ornate lamp posts from London and all of its 10,276 exterior granite blocks.  

4. The Golden Gate Bridge, California

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is now as iconic as the city itself. It was designed by American structural engineer Joseph B. Strauss. Construction on the bridge began in 1930 and was completed seven years later and, at a height of 746 feet, was then the world’s tallest suspension bridge.

It is 4,200 feet long and crosses the Golden Gate Strait to connect San Francisco with Marin County. It required several thousand workers to complete it at a cost of $35 million. The bridge is world-famous for its stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and its Art Deco features.  

5. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Florida

This bridge has its roots in a tragic accident between a freighter named the Summit Venture and the previous bridge on May 9, 1980. By 1987, the construction of its replacement, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was completed. This cable-stayed bridge crosses Tampa Bay spanning 21,860 feet to connect Terra Ceia with St. Petersburg.

It has a maximum height of 430 feet. It features a bicycle and even a pedestrian lane. Some say it looks a bit like it has its own sails flowing in the wind because of its huge concrete goalposts and yellow cables.

6. The New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia

Next on our list of famous bridges, this structure is aptly named. It took just three years to build and was opened in 1977. It spans a distance of 3,030 feet and is the world’s “fifth-longest single-span bridge” and crosses the New River Gorge.  

Thanks to this bridge, a commute of at least 40 minutes is now only one minute. It reaches a height of 876 feet and features a graceful arch. The views from the bridge are spectacular.

7. The Cornish Windsor Covered Bridge, New Hampshire

The famous Cornish Windsor Covered Bridge spans an area of 460 feet. Completed in 1866, it is an exceptional example of a classic American wooden bridge from the 1800s. American architect and civil engineer used his own unique lattice truss design which he patented in both 1820 and 1835. As this goes to press, it remains one of the nation’s longest two-spanned covered bridges. This famous covered bridge crosses the rushing Connecticut River and joins the towns of Cornish and Windsor.  

8. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Maryland

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge is another famous bridge. At the time of its official opening in 1952, it was the world’s “longest steel structure running over continuous water.” It runs for 22,704 feet and reaches a maximum height of 186 feet. 

This famous bridge joins the state’s eastern and western shores. It is a two-lane bridge that is open to pedestrians on May 1st every year. People who suffer from a fear of bridges, gephyrophobia, say that this bridge is one of the world’s scariest because of the low visibility that occurs during storms. It can be so bad, you can’t see the ground while crossing the bridge.

9. The Skydance Bridge, Oklahoma

This famous bridge, the Skydance Bridge, is unlike the other bridges. It was not designed for vehicular traffic. It was designed for pedestrians.

This bridge is 60 feet wide and stretches over Interstate 40 to provide pedestrians with a safe way to cross the freeway. It is 380 feet in length and stands 192 feet high. The innovative design is the work of architects Hans and Torrey Butzer who said they were actually inspired by Oklahoma’s state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher. The design includes an imaginative “bridge and sculpture” combination. It features stainless steel panels that are positioned to create the impression of feathers.

10. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, Washington

The original bridge opened sometime in 1940. Four months later, it was decimated by strong winds. A decade later, the bridge was replaced. It included stiffened struts and open trusses to more effectively handle strong winds.  

Traffic on the bridge went one way–west. It would not be until 2007 that another bridge was erected to handle traffic heading east. The bridge crosses the Narrows of Puget Sound. It joins the Olympic Peninsula to the state’s mainland. The bridge is 5,400 feet in length.  

11. The Mackinac Bridge, Michigan

The famous Mackinac Bridge was opened in 1957. It was an architectural marvel that handled four lanes of traffic. The entire bridge is 26,372 feet in length with its main span being 3,799 feet long.

It’s the western hemisphere’s longest suspension bridge. The bridge spans two Great Lakes, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron, joining St. Ignace with Mackinaw City. Most of it is composed of steel grating in order to provide optimal airflow and reduce the chances of the bridge being damaged by high winds.

12. The Rainbow Bridge, New York

No need to protest this bridge! This famous arch bridge officially opened to vehicular traffic back in 1941. It crosses the world-famous Niagara Gorge and connects the Niagara Falls in Canada with the Niagara Falls in the US. (Yes, we know that technically the famous Rainbow Bridge is on the border of both countries, but it still counts.)  

It is 1,450 feet long. Its longest span is 960 feet. At its highest point, it measures 202 feet. It doesn’t matter if you’re there taking pictures of the well-known falls from the bridge or photographing the bridge itself with the falls as a backdrop, the views here are truly unforgettable.

13. The Royal Gorge Bridge, Colorado

From start to finish, it took only half a year to complete the Royal Gorge Bridge. Opened in 1929, this famous steel suspension bridge near Cañon City was designed to be a part of the tourist attraction aptly named the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park amusement park. While visitors can enter from the north gate, they will discover the south end is actually blocked just past the bridge.

This noteworthy bridge garnered the official title of the world’s tallest bridge at a height of 955 feet. Unfortunately, in 2001 the Chinese erected a bridge that bumped it out of the top slot. It remains the highest bridge in the United States. It is 1,260 feet in length and its longest span measures in at 880 feet.

14. The Benson Bridge, Oregon

Last but not necessarily least on our list of most famous bridges in the US, is Benson Bridge. It was opened in 1914. It crosses Multnomah Creek between the two cascades of Multnomah Falls.

This footbridge-specific design includes a buttressed concrete floor arch. It is almost six feet wide and stretches out for 52 feet. Specifically, it allows the popular Multnomah Creek Trail to pass over the actual creek. It reaches a maximum height of 135 feet. The arch itself towers 105 feet over the falls’ lower section.

Some people have always been frightened of bridges. Gephyrophobia sufferers often try to avoid crossing bridges altogether, driving miles out of their way to avoid them. Of course, quite a few bridges can be rough experiences for those with acrophobia, as well.

With some bridges, however, terror seems to be the only sensible response. Here, we look at ten bridges that would turn anyone’s legs to jelly. Read on, but don’t look down.

10 Royal Gorge Bridge
Colorado

The Royal Gorge Bridge, the world’s highest bridge until 2001, was built in 1929 for a paltry $350,000. The bridge spans 384 meters (1,260 ft) across Colorado’s magnificent Royal Gorge. The Arkansas River thunders by 291 meters (955 ft) below, occasionally carrying white-water rafters battling against the elements.

It took just six months to construct the bridge. The two main cables each weigh 200 tons and consist of 2,100 individual cables twisted together. 1,292 planks of wood were bolted to the base to form the deck of the bridge. As there is no vertical truss to the bridge, it has a tendency to move with the motion of the footfall, which can be disconcerting when you’re crossing a gorge with a raging river almost 300 meters (1,000 ft) below you.^[1]

If you don’t fancy taking the bridge, you could always try the aerial gondolas, which will get you to the other side without the need to panic.

9 Titlis Cliff Walk
Switzerland

In order to cross the Titlis Cliff Walk, you will first need to climb Mount Titlis, where you will find the bridge waiting for you at the summit. You will then walk through the glacier cave via an underground tunnel to reach it.

The Titlis Cliff Walk is around 3,000 meters (10,000 ft) above sea level and 100 meters (330 ft) long but only 1 meter (3.3 ft) wide. It stretches from one rock face to another in the Swiss Alps. The bridge crosses a roughly 500-meter-deep (1,600 ft) chasm. Walking in single file, it is said to be 150 steps to the other side. Over a chasm.^[2]

Once you get to the other side, you can then take the “Ice Flyer” chairlift to the top of the other side of glacier. We can only wonder why no one thought to just climb up the other side in the first place.

8 Marienbrucke
Germany

Marienbrucke (Queen Mary’s Bridge) in Bavaria is on the estate of Neuschwanstein Castle. The castle is everything that a castle should be. Perched on the top of a cliff, it looks as if it should be occupied by a princess and a couple of dragons. The bridge is no less fantastic than the castle. It passes 90 meters (295 ft) over the Pollat River and offers brilliant views of the castle.^[3]

The bridge was constructed solely for the purpose of enjoying the view. Maximillian II had had lookout posts created around the area to admire the castle, and in the 1840s, he commissioned the building of the bridge as a birthday present for his consort, Marie, who, luckily, liked mountain climbing and therefore had a head for heights.

7 Puente De Ojuela
Mexico

Even the road leading up to Puente de Ojuela is difficult to traverse, but the bridge itself is terrifying. The bridge is around 300 meters (1,000 ft) long and is suspended nearly 100 meters (327 ft) above a ravine. The bridge is only 0.6 meters (2 ft) wide. Thankfully, Puente de Ojuela is now only used by pedestrians, but it was used by pack animals in the past.

The bridge was originally constructed in 1898 and was used to move gold and silver taken from the local mines and bring supplies in. The bridge sways as you walk on it, and although it has handrails, the spaces between the planks are wide, which means that you have a good view of the canyon below if you are foolish enough to look down. Traffic also moves both ways across the bridge, so you may find yourself jostled as you walk.^[4]

If you are brave enough to cross the bridge (designed, believe it or not, by the same people who designed the Brooklyn Bridge), you will be able to visit the ghost town museum and one of the abandoned mines. Hmm. Maybe not.

6 The Hanging Bridge Of Ghasa
Nepal

The Hanging Bridge of Ghasa should perhaps be called the Swinging Bridge of Ghasa. Due to the altitude and the area’s susceptibility to high winds, the bridge sways precariously as it is crossed by locals, visitors, and cattle.

Though the bridge looks rather fragile, it is said to be quite sturdy. It is still used to move cattle, though the beasts are sometimes blinkered to stop them from panicking as they cross the bridge. And you can see why. If only you could blinker the people, too.^[5]

The bridge is said to have been built to ease congestion across other bridges and is used daily by locals driving their animals across it, which makes the idea of traffic jams interesting.

5 Iya Kazurabashi
Japan

One of the more unusual-looking bridges, Iya Kazurabashi is found in Japan’s Iya Valley among mountains and hot springs. The vine bridge is 45 meters (148 ft) long and only 14 meters (46 ft) above the Iyagawa River, but what it lacks in scariness, it makes up for in weirdness.

It is constructed from a plant called Hardy Kiwi, which, though relatively strong, is not really suitable for bridge-building because it is not durable and is prone to rotting. Not a good quality in a bridge.

However, the Hardy Kiwi was used, it is said, deliberately so that the bridge could be cut down quickly in case of invaders, thus preventing the invading army from crossing the gorge.

The bridge is rebuilt every three years, and the vines are lashed to tall cedar trees at either side of the gorge. In these days of health and safety, the vines also hide steel ropes inside them, just in case. However, the wide gaps between the steps of the bridge, giving a vertical view of the river below, and the wild swinging as you pass along it are still enough to frighten the life out of most visitors.^[6]

4 Q’eswachaka Bridge
Peru

The Q’eswachaka Bridge, sitting on the Great Inca Road through the Andes, is the finest remaining example of an Inca suspension bridge. The bridges were of vital importance in connecting and consolidating the Inca Empire, and they continued to be used as ordinary parts of the road system for centuries afterward.

Again, in times of conflict, the bridges were cut down to protect the inhabitants from intruders. When the Spanish invaded, many of the bridges were burned.

Inca bridges are made by braiding natural fibers to make the floor, handrails, and vertical ties between the base and the handrails for protection. Stone pillars anchor the cables on either side of the bridge. Crossing the bridge is not a smooth experience, it has to be said, and the “loose” nature of the construction allows walkers to get a good view of the river below.

Local communities replace the bridge each year, harvesting the grass and weaving it into cables. The inhabitants of each side of the bridge then work together to pull the ropes across. They do not demolish the old bridge until the new one has been built alongside it. Each community begins work at their own end and meet in the middle of the bridge. The whole bridge can be rebuilt in three days, after which the communities gather for a celebration, which seems only right.^[7]

3 Kuandinsky Bridge
Russia

The Kuandinsky Bridge stretches for 570 meters (1,870 ft) over the Vitim River in Siberia. Originally a railway bridge, this is now an unofficial vehicle bridge. The term “bridge” is used extremely loosely. It is just over 2 meters (6.6 ft) wide, and it has no railings or safety precautions of any sort to prevent cars from toppling into the frozen waters below. It is rusted, and the wooden sleepers have rotted in the harsh conditions. No major repairs have ever been carried out on the bridge, since the railway company that built it never used it, and no one else will take responsibility for it.^[8]

The locals, who’ve perhaps had their brains addled by the constant cold, began to use the bridge as a shortcut across the river. Heavy cars are apt to break the sleepers, and holes are covered with any spare planks or bits of wood that can be found lying around. This means getting out of the vehicle and fixing the bridge en route. And, just to make it more fun, the wood is known to be extremely slippery when wet, which is all the time. There is, it seems, much to be said for the long way around.

2 Hongyagu Bridge
China

Sometimes, it seems that bridge designers are twisted, sadistic people. Take the designers of Hebei’s Hongyagu Bridge, which opened in the end of 2017.^[9] They have constructed a bridge which spans 488 meters (1,601 ft) over a vertical drop of 220 meters (722 ft), which is nerve-wracking enough for most people. But the designers decided to add a glass floor so that users could have a great view of the valley below them and trick their minds into believing that there is nothing holding them up. And as if that isn’t enough, they decided to give the bridge added “sway.”

The glass panels are 4 centimeters (1.6 in) thick, which doesn’t seem like a lot when it sits between you and certain death. The bridge is capable of accommodating 2,000 people at a time, but only 600 are allowed to walk on it, just in case. Visitors have to wear “shoe gloves” to protect the glass from scratching or breaking. (This is apparently a thing with glass bridges. Who could have known?)

The bridge authority has stationed staff members at points along the bridge to assist those who feel faint. Still, it could be worse. The creators of the glass suspension bridge have designed it with added sound effects. As you take each step along the glass bridge, it sounds as if the glass is cracking beneath your feet. Nope.

1 Hussaini Hanging Bridge
Pakistan

The Hussaini Hanging Bridge in Pakistan hardly deserves the name “bridge.” The current bridge is the new, improved, version, the first (even scarier) version having been destroyed by the weather. The bridge is made of rope and planks. There is a constant icy wind blowing, too, which makes the bridge sway violently. At least ten people have died while crossing the bridge, according to locals.

If you were to fall, you would be plunged into the river below. Many tourists come to the bridge, often taking two steps onto it, taking a picture, and jumping hastily back. For the local people, however, it is not so easy. They still regularly make use of the crossing, even carrying large packs on their backs as they walk across.^[10]

Ward Hazell is a writer who travels, and an occasional travel writer.

Humans have continued to build and expand their cities, encroaching on acres upon acres of animal habitats. Sadly, many animals get hurt or killed while trying to cross man-made roads. This leads to diminishing animal populations, a lack of biodiversity, and a de-segmentation of animal hunting and living grounds. The good news is that human beings recognized the peril our roads have put animals in and have implemented ways to reconnect and construct safe passage for animals by constructing wildlife crossings.

These wildlife crossings facilitate safe passage by providing animal-friendly alternate routes. These passages come in different forms, such as bridges, tunnels, and dams. Many wondered if animals would be smart enough to use artificial crossings. In fact, there was no need to worry because animals are brilliant and, in fact, embraced these artificial crossings in every shape, form, and size. Wildlife crossings have aided countless species, from crabs to cougars, to name but a few.

So, while we still don’t know why the chicken crossed the road, we know how. Below is a list of fascinating facts about wildlife bridges and crossings throughout the world.

Related: 10 Animals Humans Need To Survive

10 Eco-Ducts

European countries, including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and France, have been building an assortment of structures to reduce roadkill for decades. In the Netherlands, wildlife crossings are called eco-ducts. There are approximately 600 of these structures in the Netherlands alone. These eco-ducts are built on protected lands and cannot be mined, drilled, or hunted on. There are currently plans to construct even more eco-ducts in the Netherlands.

Other countries are also finding innovative ways to create and build these structures. Some have sponsored design competitions, like the Yangjaegogae Eco-bridge Design Competition in Seoul, South Korea. The winning design mimics the sloping mountains that it connects, enabling the many creatures inhabiting the area to safely cross the very busy eight-lane highway below.^[1]

9 Not a New Invention

The 17th-century French used bundles of branches to create fish ladders, which acted like steps in steep water. This helped fish bypass obstructions and get where they needed to go. Fish ladders are often constructed of rocks, lumber, or logs and can aid fish in upstream migration. While it’s fun to think of fish climbing ladders, we all know fish don’t have legs, so these fish ladders help fish find the food, mates, other resources they need to go to carry out their business of being fish.

Richard McFarland, a Canadian lumber mill owner, designed a clever method to help marine creatures avoid his dam. He had his fishway structure patented in 1837. While there are several ways to construct a successful fish ladder, McFarland’s was the first of its kind to earn a patent. Using fish ladders is quite common today, especially in rough waters where fish have difficulty swimming upstream. ^[2]

8 Biodiversity

Wildlife crossings have definitely improved the conservation of wildlife. The result is an increase in animal populations within those areas and greater biodiversity among species. Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth. In a habitat or ecosystem, biodiversity provides natural and biological resources for its inhabitants. When biodiversity decreases, all species can suffer a lack of resources and even the death of living populations.

In Japan, engineers have constructed “Turtle Tunnels” underneath train tracks to preserve the turtle population and to ensure trains do not decimate the turtle population. A similar turtle tunnel was built in Massachusetts under Route 44. The road divided two populations of spotted turtles, limiting their potential survivability—with fewer turtles from a different genetic pool, the adaptability to the changing environment and climate lessens. The turtles need”new blood” to survive.^[3]

7 From Mice to Grizzlies

In Canada, the Banff National Park is now home to 44 wildlife passages: 6 overpasses and 38 underpasses. These wildlife crossings were first constructed as part of a road improvement project beginning in 1978. These bridges allow wild animals passage over the Trans-Canada Highway, which sees almost 18,000 cars per day traveling through the park. Currently, numerous different species have used the bridge, including deer, lynx, coyotes, wolves, wolverines, and bears.

Monitoring by wildlife cameras shows that various species have different preferences for how to escape from traffic. Grizzlies, deer, and moose prefer the open air of overpasses, while cougars are more likely to stay hidden in dark shadows or under bridges with ample coverings provided by tunnel walls. Black and brown bears might choose either option depending on who or what they encounter during their wanderings through town. Many of the small culverts prove useful to the carious mice, voles, and other small critters that call the park home.^[4]

6 Christmas Crabs

Thousands of wildlife crossings exist all over the world, including a crab bridge on Christmas Island in Australia. Christmas Island is in the Indian Ocean and is home to approximately 45 million fire-engine red crabs. These crabs make their home on an island measuring only 52 square miles with a human population of about 2,000.

To help the crabs out while they breed and spawn, their human neighbors constructed a bridge over the main road so the crabs could cross safely from forest to ocean. The crab bridge has become a tourist attraction in its own right, and people travel from all over the world to see the crabs cross over the bridge. It is quite a sight to see these brightly colored crabs crawling over this 16-foot man-made bridge. Additional underpasses also assist the crabs, but the bridge is by far more spectacular to watch.^[5]

5 Avoiding A Cat-astrophe

The state of Florida has constructed over twenty wildlife crossings to help save the endangered Florida panther. The Florida Panther is a rare, elusive animal that was nearly hunted to extinction in the 1970s. Besides being hunted, panther deaths by vehicular collision are a very large threat. Intensive human intervention over 40 years ago has helped the panther population grow from 20 individuals to an estimated population at least ten times greater than it would have been without our help.

Unfortunately, these beautiful cats are still very much endangered even with the construction of the underpasses created for their use. Panthers need a continuous habitat to roam and hunt. As a result, the wildlife corridors are crucial for their survival. Covered with the plants and flowers of the area, the wildlife corridors in Florida give panthers the connected habitat range they need for survival and to increase their numbers. (Unfortunately, these crossings won’t offer any help to the Carolina Panthers this year!)^[6]

4 No Monkeying Around

Monkey Bridges are built in Costa Rica to deter animals from using electrical wires to move from place to place and accidentally getting electrocuted. Since the installation of monkey bridges throughout Costa Rica, monkeys have learned to use them instead of the less safe alternatives. Monkey bridges are generally made from rope and allow the primates to safely get from place to place.

Since their installation, it hasn’t been only monkeys that have used the bridges. Other animals have also been spotted using them, including sloths, anteaters, and even porcupines. Apparently, the animals know a good thing when they see it, and many animals have been seen using the bridges with their babies on their backs. It’s quite a sight to see a monkey crossing a bridge overhead while traveling through the rainforest of Costa Rica. I’m not monkeying around when I say wildlife bridges are a great idea!^[7]

3 Over the Down Under Bridge

In Australia, wildlife bridges and tunnels have been successfully used by koalas, who initially were thought to be unable to figure them out. Darryl Jones, an ecologist from Griffith University in Australia, had to “eat his words” after discovering that within three weeks of their construction in 2016, koalas were using the bridges and tunnels built for them without fail. It’s a good thing, too, because koalas are inarguably the most adorable animal in the world.

Passageways built for animals in Australia often have lush greenery on them, making it practically impossible for the animals to realize they are traveling over a man-made structure, leading more species to embrace using these corridors. Australia is also home to a wildlife bridge that was constructed originally to help squirrel gliders. Instead, wrens, finches, and other feathered wildlife are also known to use this bridge.^[8]

2 Keeping It Natural

Since the 1990s, thousands of wildlife crossings have been constructed in America. These include underground tunnels and bridges that can safely accommodate a variety of animals, including elk or moose. These corridors reduce road collisions with landscape features that reconnect them back to their habitats—and these newly built ones are more advanced because they make sure not only cars but also pedestrians (when desired) get a safe passage across highways.

Wildlife crossings are becoming more popular for providing connectivity between different areas of land. Engineers construct these habitat corridors using the natural vegetation found in the surrounding areas. Wildlife bridges are covered in native plants and trees to make them appear like a natural part of the landscape and help invite animal passage. The crossings often work most effectively when implemented alongside highway fencing, placed strategically at one or both sides so that wildlife can be funneled toward it by an exit corridor made up primarily of these green bridges.^[9]

1 Going Bigger

The largest wildlife crossing in the world has recently undergone construction in California, just northwest of Los Angeles. This crossing is to serve as a model for the rest of the world. Its location at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains will provide safe access over the 101 freeway for pumas, deer, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, lizards, and many other species. It will also have a pedestrian and bike path.

This wildlife crossing, named the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, is an overpass-style bridge stretching across ten lanes of the Ventura Freeway. It is expected to be completed by year’s end of 2025. This particular wildlife crossing is being constructed in response to the dwindling population of mountain lions in the area. Unable to cross the freeway safely, lions have become genetically isolated, and their numbers have sadly decreased.

An underpass previously built near the current construction site was supposed to facilitate mountain lion crossing under the freeway. Unfortunately, several mountain lions were killed attempting to travel the underpass. When the construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing is complete, mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains will be able to reach the Simi Valley Mountains and beyond. It is the hope of conservationists and animal lovers alike that the mountain lions in the area will see a spike in their population and diversity. As a Southern California resident, I very much look forward to visiting this wildlife bridge when it is complete.^[10]

The majority of bridges are relatively commonplace and utilitarian, but some rise above the rest. From feats of impressive engineering to creative designs, there are some bridges that draw thousands, even millions, of tourists each year. Of course, everyone is familiar with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. Still, there are many less well-known but equally fascinating bridges to visit on your next trip.

Here are 10 of the most unusual bridges from around the world that you need to visit.

10 The Moses Bridge, the Netherlands

Most bridges chart a course over the water or space they are crossing, but the Moses Bridge in the Netherlands cuts directly through the water instead. The bridge provides access to Fort de Roovere, the largest fort on the West Brabant Line, a defensive line that used moats to deter attackers. A restoration project required a bridge to be built across the moat, but this was not advised as it would have ruined the site’s appearance.

The solution was to create a bridge that cuts through the water like a trench, rather than crossing over it, thus being less visually disruptive while still allowing people access. Built in 2010, the bridge was originally called Loopgraafbrug but is now known as the Moses Bridge because it appears to part the water like the biblical prophet Moses. Although the waterline sometimes looks precarious, the height of the water is controlled by dams, so the sunken bridge cannot be flooded.^[1]

9 The Golden Bridge, Vietnam

The Golden Bridge in Vietnam is designed to look like it is being held up by two giant stone hands. The weathered hands, which dwarf the pedestrians using the bridge, look as though they have been standing for centuries, but in reality they are made of wire mesh and fiberglass and have only been in place since 2018. The bridge offers a vista of the mountainous terrain below, but it is itself an impressive sight.

Located in the Bà Nà Hills resort near Da Nang City, the bridge links the gardens to a cable car station. The cable car currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest non-stop single-track cable car ride, stretching across 19,000 feet (5,791 meters). The Golden Bridge may not hold any records, but it is an impressive addition to the resort, which Forbes describes as “a cross between Disney’s Epcot, a French ski resort, and a Buddhist mountain retreat.”^[2]

8 Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge, Northern Ireland

The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world’s oceans, and despite its huge size, there is actually a bridge that crosses it. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge was first put up in 1755 to allow fishermen to cross from mainland Northern Ireland to a small offshore island. Spanning a 98-foot (30-meter) deep and 65-foot (20-meter) wide chasm, the bridge might not cross a particularly large portion of the ocean, but it does technically cross it.

A more modern bridge now spans the gap, enabling tourists to say they have walked over the Atlantic. Carrick-a-Rede isn’t the only bridge with such a claim, though; Clachan Bridge on the west coast of Scotland achieves the same feat but over a shorter distance. The small arched bridge crosses a narrow channel, both ends of which connect to the Atlantic.^[3]

7 The Euro Banknote Bridges, the Netherlands

Euro banknotes feature images of fictional bridges instead of real ones in order to not unfairly prioritize certain countries. However, Robin Stam thought, “it would be amazing if these fictional bridges suddenly turn out to actually exist in real life.” He reached out to the city council of Spijkenisse, where he was born, and “before I knew it, there was a whole team working on my idea.”

Between 2011 and 2013, the bridges were made a reality in Spijkenisse. Each of the seven banknotes, which symbolize the cooperation between European countries, depicts a different style of architecture. For instance, €20 is Gothic, and €50 is Renaissance. The real bridges are smaller than the art denoted on the banknote, but they are brightly colored to match their respective notes. Five of the bridges were built using colored concrete, and the remaining two used steel.^[4]

6 Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, South Korea

Banpo Bridge is the upper half of a 3,740-foot (1,140-meter) double-decker bridge, sitting atop Jamsu Bridge, which crosses the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. In 2008, fountains were installed along both sides of Banpo Bridge, earning it the Guinness World Record for the longest bridge fountain in the world. Amazingly, 380 nozzles line the sides of the bridge, shooting out 60 tons (54 tonnes) of water every minute.

During the day, the water cascades down in different elegant patterns, but it is best seen at night. LED lights illuminate the water jets in rainbow colors, and the movements are synchronized to music. As Banpo Bridge is suspended above Jamsu Bridge, spectators can even stand on the lower bridge to view the 20-minute show from below.^[5]

5 Kinzua Bridge, USA

Most bridges do not offer a view of what they will look like when they are destroyed, but that’s exactly what the Kinzua Bridge in Pennsylvania does. For a short period of time, it was the longest and tallest railroad bridge in the world, clocking in at 2,053 feet (626 meters) long and 301 feet (92 meters) high. In 2003 restoration work was being done on the structure when it was partially destroyed by a tornado.

It was determined that rebuilding the bridge would be too expensive, so instead, the remaining structure was converted into a pedestrian walkway that opened in 2011. Six of the still-standing support towers were used in the construction. Although the bridge no longer crosses the gorge, it does lead to a platform from which people can take in the chilling view of the eleven destroyed towers which were blown down and remain twisted at the bottom of the valley.^[6]

4 The Bastei Bridge, Germany

The Bastei is a spectacular 636-foot (194-meter) tall jagged rock formation that looms over the Elbe River in Germany. Neurathen Castle used to sit on top of the natural towers until it was burned down in 1484. Although no longer home to a fortress, crowds still visit in droves to see the impressive rocks. In the early 1800s, a wooden bridge was built to link the pillars, and around 1850, it was upgraded to the sandstone bridge that still stands today.

Walking the bridge provides a close-up look at the pillars as well as a sweeping panorama of the surrounding mountains and valley below. The dramatic medieval-looking bridge is as much of a draw to the area as the sandstone towers themselves. The view of the bridge nestled between the pillars looks like something straight out of The Lord of the Rings.^[7]

3 Las Lajas Sanctuary, Colombia

Las Lajas Sanctuary is a Gothic revival-style church that sits across a gorge in Colombia. The building juts out from one side of the canyon, 330 feet (100 meters) up from the bottom, and is connected to the other side by a 160-foot (49-meter) long bridge spanning the Guáitara River. The current church was built between 1916 and 1949, but a less grand shrine existed before then due to the location supposedly being the site of a miracle.

Local legend has it that in 1754, a woman and her deaf-mute daughter sought shelter from a storm in a cave and witnessed the appearance of the Virgin Mary, after which the child could speak and talk. People began making pilgrimages to the cave to ask for miracles, and at some point, an image of Mary supposedly appeared on a slab of stone. This stone is now part of the altar inside the impressive church.^[8]

2 The Tianjin Eye on Yongle Bridge, China

The Tianjin Eye in China is unusual compared to other Ferris wheels because it is the only one to be suspended over a river, specifically the Hai River. It stands 394 feet (120 meters) tall, meaning it is dwarfed by the Ain Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, which stands at a staggering 820 feet (250 meters) and is currently the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. However, no other observation wheel is attached to a bridge, making the Tianjin Eye and Yongle Bridge unique.

The wheel opened to the public in 2008 and can accommodate 384 riders at one time in its 48 compartments, taking 30 minutes to complete a rotation. It is attached to the bridge via visually dramatic tri-pronged struts. At night it is lit up with colorful neon lights, making it an impressive sight for pedestrians crossing the bridge below.^[9]

1 Living Root Bridges, India

A living root bridge is a suspension bridge formed from the living roots of trees, usually rubber trees. These living bridges are particularly common in the Indian state of Meghalaya, where the dense jungle means that building roads and bridges from common materials like concrete and steel is impractical. More than 100 living bridges have been formed in the province to enable tribal communities to cross the many rivers in the area.

The living bridges are formed by stretching bamboo across the river and then teasing the aerial roots into position. As the trees continue to grow over the years, the bridges become stronger and can accommodate more people crossing. They are currently on Unesco’s tentative list for world heritage site status because they demonstrate “a distinct ethno-botanical journey rooted in profound culture-nature reciprocity and synthesis.”^[10]

There’s nothing particularly interesting about bridges, until you – like us – look up the best bridges around the world and realize that you’re actually really into bridges. These works of art and engineering have taken bridge-building from its mere utility of connecting two elevated points to something far greater.

10. Magdeburg Water Bridge (Germany)

The water bridge – or aqueduct – in Magdeburg, Germany was planned as a solution to a particular problem with the region’s waterways. It connects two canal systems – Elbe-Havel Canal and the Mittelland Canal – with the Elbe river and each other. Previously, the journey took a seven-mile detour and multiple locks to lower and raise ships between varying elevations. 

Now, it’s barely a few minutes of waiting, as you get lowered or raised on to any of the waterways you want and be on your way. The bridge – originally conceived in the 1930s but only built after the Cold War was over – is actually a set of multiple bridges with their own lock systems. Thanks to it, ships can now seamlessly move between the inner harbors of Berlin and ports along the Rhine river, essentially connecting the eastern and western parts of the country’s vast waterway network.

9. Pont du Gard Aqueduct (France)

Few civilizations have dabbled in the high art of bridge-making as the Romans, exemplified by their near-obsession with aqueducts. The Roman aqueduct network was intricate and spread out across its vast territory, providing its distant, arid colonies with a steady supply of water. That involved building bridges of all kinds, as the aqueducts had to be connected over many different types of natural obstacles.

While most of that network is now lost to history, we can see glimpses of it in structures like the Pont du Gard. One of the most-visited tourist destinations in France, the Pont du Gard – or ‘Bridge of the Gard’ – towers over its surroundings at a height of 155 feet, which is pretty high for even modern bridges. It’s made up of three levels with multiple arches of their own, with the topmost one dedicated to the once-functional water conduit. 

8. Dragon Bridge (Vietnam)

At its most basic, there are only two ways to effectively build an impressive, timeless bridge. One is carefully studying the topography and weather conditions of the region, doing some calculations involving advanced concepts of architecture, and then meticulously putting it all together with the help of the construction team over the course of the next few years. The other is just building a regular bridge and putting a giant, fire-breathing dragon on it.

Authorities in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang clearly believed in the latter, when – back in 2013 – they unveiled the Dragon Bridge. Built to mark the 38th anniversary of the liberation of Da Nang during the Vietnam war, Dragon Bridge connects Da Nang airport with other major roads of the city. The dragon itself – running across almost the entire length of the bridge – is fitted with over 2,500 LED lights for special occasions, along with what we can only assume is a giant, custom-built flamethrower at its mouth. 

7. The Helix (Singapore)

The Helix is a pedestrian bridge in the Marina Bay area in Singapore, connecting multiple office and commercial establishments with each other over the Singapore river. It’s like most pedestrian bridges you’d have seen, only built in a complex, double-helix structure of DNA strands.

First revealed to the public in 2010, the Helix was planned as a lighter, better-looking alternative to the vehicular bridge right next to it – the Bayfront Bridge. During the day, canopies of perforated steel at strategic spots provide multiple spots of shade, making it an ideal lunch spot for office-goers nearby. At night, the double helix outline is lit up and emphasized with thousands of multi-colored LED lights, giving the whole thing an organic-yet-modern look. 

6. Royal Gorge Bridge (USA)

The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado is the highest bridge in the country and one of the highest in the world, soaring about 956 feet above the Arkansas river. Built in 1929, the bridge connects the two ends of the Royal Gorge – one of the deepest canyons in the USA – and provides a spectacular view of the unique, sprawling landscape.

The 1,260-foot-long bridge takes the usual canyon experience one step further – by putting you on top of it rather than the base – though one can always opt for the picturesque railroad routes at the base of the gorge, too. The bridge attracts quite a few visitors from across the country throughout the year, as it also offers multiple adventure activities like bungee jumping and zip lining in a sort of a bridge-cum-adventure-park setup. 

5. Nanpu Bridge (China)

At a total length of about 5.15 miles, the Nanpu bridge near Shanghai in China is easily one of the longest bridges in the world. On its own, however, the bridge itself isn’t anything special, as the skylines of modern Chinese cities are dotted with other, far-more-impressive bridges. Its main attraction, rather, is the circular network of ramps on its Shanghai side to ease the flow of traffic during rush hours.

It’s a giant, multi-level ramp with smaller ramps of its own, connecting many different roadways with each other and the bridge. It’s quite similar to large intersections in other cities around the world, only with the sole, specific purpose of smoothly diverting traffic over to the bridge. 

Before it was opened for public use in 1991, the only way to get across the Huangpu River was on a ferry. Now, it’s one of the busiest roads in Shanghai, as the bridge has allowed for rapid development and industrialization of the districts located on the other side.

4. Twin Sails (UK)

The Twin Sails Bridge in Dorset, United Kingdom is a double-leaved bascule bridge – a type of bridge that uses single or double spans, or leaves, that can be lowered and raised to provide clearance to boats. It’s not a particularly unique bridge design, as bascule bridges can be found all over Europe – another example being the Tower Bridge in London. 

What is unique, however, is the shape of its leaves. Instead of the usual rectangles, Twin Sails leaves are triangular in shape, making it the first triangular-leaved bascule bridge in the world. When open for water traffic, the entire structure looks like the sails of two giant yachts passing each other on the open seas. When it’s shut, however, it’s difficult to tell the bridge apart from any other bridge in the vicinity.

3. Si-o-se-pol (Iran)

Si-o-se-pol – or ‘The Bridge of 33 Arches’ in Persian – was originally conceived as both a bridge and a dam on the Zayandeh Rood river in Isfahan, Iran. Completed during the early part of the 17th century, Si-o-se-pol remains one of the best-preserved examples of bridge architecture from the Safavid era.

Over the years, though, the bridge-cum-dam has turned into a really long heritage building, as the lower reaches of the river have almost-entirely dried up due to various reasons. It now exists as a popular recreational spot, with shopping malls, hotels, cafes and other tourist attractions on either side to keep the visitors busy.

2. Veluwemeer Aqueduct (Netherlands)

The Veluwemeer aqueduct challenges the popular notion that bridges should be built over water bodies and not the other way around. Perhaps the only bridge of its kind in the world, the aqueduct – completed in 2002 – passes over the N302 highway in the Netherlands. One of the busiest roads in the country, the N302 connects the mainland city of Harderwijk with Flevoland – the largest artificial island in the world.

Technically speaking, it’s an entire lake built around a highway, with a connection between its two sides to keep the traffic flowing on both levels. It’s a unique solution to a common landscaping problem, usually solved by structures like drawbridges, tunnels, ferry terminals, and overpasses – all of which were found to be costlier and more disruptive for the highway than the aqueduct. It’s a small – yet scenic – part of the larger Flevoland project, as the Veluwemeer is one of the three artificial lakes that surround the 931-square-mile island. 

1. Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge (Brazil)

The Juscelino Kubitschek Bridge – named after the 21st president of Brazil – is only one of the many modernist architectural wonders scattered across the Brazilian capital of Brasilia, though it still manages to stand out on its own. Close to 4,000 feet in length, it’s a freeway arch bridge made with steel and concrete, and was first opened to general traffic in 2002. 

On a clear day, the bridge could be seen from many other spots in the city, thanks to its three crisscrossing, asymmetrically-placed arches that can’t be mistaken for anything else, each over 200 feet in height. It connects the eastern shore of Lake Paranoá with Brasilia’s city center, serving as an important road link as well as an Instagram-worthy landmark for the city’s 4.8 million residents.