Usually, when talking about ancient buildings that have survived to this day, they recall the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Egyptian pyramids. But in fact, there are buildings that, although they were built thousands of years ago, are still used today. Bridges are prime examples of such structures. In our review, there are 10 of the oldest ones.
1. Shekhar Bridge. Yemen
The Shekhar Bridge, also known as the “Bridge of Sighs” (not to be confused with the Venetian one), 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. Leads a bridge over a 200-meter abyss.
In former times, the Shekhara Bridge was the only way to the large mountain village of Shekhara and it was built not only for the convenience of communication, but also to protect against Turkish invaders. The locals are said to know how to bring down the bridge in just a minute, completely isolating the mountain village.
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2. Ponte Vecchio. Italy
The Ponte Vecchio Bridge was built in 1345 in Florence, Italy. As in the case of the Fabrice Bridge, it was built to replace the old dilapidated wooden bridge. What is interesting about this bridge is that it was originally built with a bunch of shops and shops on it, and it has survived to this day.
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 all trade on the bridge except for jewelers and silversmiths. Today these shops are mainly home to souvenir shops.
3. Rialto Bridge. Italy
The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) in Venice was built in 1591 again to replace the old destroyed wooden bridge. It was designed by the architect Antonio de Ponte, who won the competition to design the bridge from Michelangelo and Palladio. Unfortunately, after its construction, the Rialto Bridge began to be criticized by all and sundry, from residents to art connoisseurs, who declared that the bridge was too "massive and clumsy".
However, such a bridge (with a 24-meter high arch for galleys to pass under it, and a row of shops in the middle of the bridge) simply could not be fragile and graceful.
4. Haju Bridge. Iran
In 1667, on the foundations of an old bridge, by order of Shah Abbas II, a 133-meter-long arched stone Haju bridge was built across the Zayande River.
Apart from its main function, it also acts as a dam, but its most interesting nuance is the social aspect. An impressive pavilion was built right in the middle of the bridge for the rest of Shah Abbas II and his courtiers. It contained comfortable seating overlooking the river, teahouse and art gallery.
5. The Fabricio Bridge. Italy
The Romans built many things that have stood the test of time. For example, in Rome you can see and visit the Pons Fabricius.
The bridge was built by the dear curator Lucius Fabricius in 62 BC. to replace a burnt-out 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 Lolly and Quintus Aemilius Lepidus made adjustments to the bridge to improve it (although which ones are unknown).
6. The Jendere Bridge. Turkey
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. It is one of the longest arched bridges built by the Romans. On each side of the bridge there are two columns that were built in honor of the Emperor Septimius Severus and his wife (on the one side) and their children (on the other side).
There is currently no Goeth column. When Caracalla came to power, he killed Geth and tried to erase any mention of them. It was then that the Geth Column was destroyed.
7. Anji Bridge. China
The 50-meter long Anji Bridge (also known as the Big 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. Bridge of the Holy Angel. Italy
The Ponte Sant'Angelo pedestrian bridge over the Tiber River in Rome was built by order of Emperor Hadrian in 136 AD.
Pont Sant'Angelo is one of the most famous bridges in Rome and also one of the most beautiful. He leads to the mausoleum of Hadrian (today it is the Castle of the Holy Angel). In 1668, the sculptor Lorenzo Bernini decorated the bridge, 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. Britannia
Tarr Steps Bridge in British Exmoor National Park, a 55-meter structure across the Barlo River, made of stone slabs.
It is not known who and when made such an unusual bridge (some scholars suggest that it could have been built around 3000 BC), but local legends say that Tarr Steps was built by the Devil himself, who vowed to kill anyone who dared to cross his.
10. Arcadiko Bridge. Greece
The Arcadiko 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. Arcadiko formed part of the military road between the cities of Tiryns and Epidaurus during the Mycenaean era. It is wider than a regular pedestrian bridge (about 2.5 m wide).
Historians believe that this was done so that chariots could safely pass over the bridge. And what is most impressive about Arcadiko is that it is made entirely of limestone boulders, without the use of cement.