Do you consider yourself a world traveler? While you may have crossed many of these historic bridges, you might not know these fascinating facts.
1. The Bridge of Sighs or Ponte dei Sospiri
The Bridge of Sighs or Ponte dei Sospiri is a small bridge in Venice, Italy. Made of white limestone with windows and stone bars, it passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.
The view from the windows of the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. It was built in 1602 and a local legend says that lovers will be granted everlasting love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge.
2. The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge
The Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge is a 55-kilometer bridge-tunnel system consisting of a series of three cable-stayed bridges, an undersea tunnel, and four artificial islands. It is both the longest sea-crossing and the longest open-sea fixed link in the world. According to Wikipedia, it took nine years to construct and it opened in October of 2018.
3. The Tower Bridge
One of the most recognizable landmarks in London, Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge. Built between 1886 and 1894, it opens to allow river traffic to glide underneath around 850 times per year, which works out as around 2.3 times per day.
It is used by over 40,000 people a day, but ships wishing to pass underneath get right of way, so long as they give 24 hours’ notice. historic bridges
4. The Charles Bridge
As the only means of crossing the river Vltava until 1841, Charles Bridge is the most important connection between Prague Castle and the city’s Old Town and adjacent areas. The first stone was laid on the 9th day of the 7th month of 1357 (9 July 1357), at 5:31, forming a numerical palindrome 135797531. King Charles was a superstitious man and felt that this was important.
There is a longstanding “love lock” tradition dating back at least 100 years, in which a couple affix a padlock to a bridge and throw the key into the water below to symbolize their eternal love. Sadly, this is now being discouraged. historic bridges
5. The Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge
One of Switzerland’s main tourist attractions, the Kapellbrücke or Chapel Bridge is a covered wooden footbridge spanning the river Reuss in the city of Lucerne.
The bridge contains a number of interior paintings dating back to the 17th century, and over the centuries the adjoining tower has been used as a prison, torture chamber and municipal archive.
6. The Euharlee Covered Bridge
Located West of Cartersville in the historic town of Euharlee, Georgia, USA, this simple, rustic landmark bridge harks back to the days of buggies and “horseless carriages.” Well established as a tourist site on Georgia’s Covered Bridge Trail, the Euharlee Covered Bridge was built in 1886 by Washington W. King, a black contractor.
7. The Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy, dating back to 1345. It is noted for the shops built along it, which was once a common practice. historic bridges
Originally used by blacksmiths, tanners and butchers, they caused such a row and stench that Duke Fernandino threw them out and replaced them with craftsmen like jewelers and goldsmiths, who fortunately could also pay a higher rent.
As with many bridges, couples in love hang small locks, with the key to the padlock being thrown into the Arno. This tradition is said to seal the love of the couple and continue to eternity.
8. The Sydney Harbour Bridge
Instantly recognizable, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is a heritage-listed steel through arch bridge that spans Sydney Harbour from the central business district to the North Shore. The view of the bridge, the harbor, and the nearby Sydney Opera House is one of the most iconic sights in Australia. 
Opened to the public in 1998, more than 3 million people have scaled the bridge as an unforgettable experience. Many famous faces have made the BridgeClimb, including Jamie Oliver, Kylie Minogue, Robert de Niro and Prince Harry.
9. The Golden Gate Bridge
The 1.7-mile-long Golden Gate Bridge is a well-known sight that has popped up in movies and series since its completion in 1937. It connects the city of San Francisco to Marin County, California, and is considered an engineering marvel as one of the longest main suspension bridge spans in the world.
It has had an eventful and chequered history, being struck by an earthquake before it was even finished. A safety net put in place during construction saved the lives of 19 men, but sadly, in spite of the precaution, 11 men perished during the build.
San Franciscans celebrated the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge with Pedestrian Day on May 27, 1937. As many as 200,000 people crossed the bridge that day. San Francisco celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge on May 24, 1987 with a bridge walk.
An estimated 300,000 people packed onto it and the middle of the bridge sagged seven feet under the unprecedented weight. Officials quickly closed the bridge, preventing an additional 600,000 people from crossing. Engineers afterward said that the bridge, which was built to bend, was never in danger of collapsing.
