The most ancient bridges in the world. Ancient bridges. Old bridge of bosnia

The longest ancient bridge in the world April 29th, 2016

If we turn to history, then the longest ancient bridge is considered to be the bridge of Constantine, the length of which was 2437 meters. But this bridge between modern Romania and Bulgaria lasted only 40 years.

But the Anping Bridge in China still exists. Until 1905, its structure was the longest in China. A bridge of massive stone blocks runs over the mouth of the Shizhin River and connects the cities of Anhui and Shiita. 331 spans of granite beams, six stone pagodas and five pavilions for the rest of travelers - this is Anping.

Consider it in more detail ...

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Now, due to the silting up of the river bed, the bridge has been reduced by 150 meters and its length is 2070 meters, and only one of the pavilions for vacationers remains. Literally a few hundred meters from this structure, there is a modern highway, the bridge structure of which is much smaller, because the width of the river has become quite insignificant.

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Quanzhou City, located on the southeast coast of China, was one of the most important Chinese ports on the historic Maritime Silk Road. Formerly known as Zayton (or Zaytun), named by Arab merchants, the port has welcomed passing sailors and travelers of different cultures and religions. The beginning of commercial and cultural interactions with other regions, in particular, with cities on the coast of the South China Sea, falls on the earlier reign of the South Chinese dynasties in the 6th century AD. The port subsequently became one of the four most used Chinese ports during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE) and the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 CE). This was also due to the presence of one hundred other ports on the Silk Road sea route, such as Madras in India, Siraf in Iran, Muscat in the Sultanate of Oman and Zanzibar. In order to impress the sailors arriving at the port, Erythrina or Coral Trees were planted in Quanzhou Harbor, which bloomed with red, eye-catching flowers. Thus, the Arabic nickname for the city of Zayton comes from the Chinese name for the plant, Tsitong (刺桐).

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A number of famous medieval explorers such as Marco Polo, Odoriko Pordenone and Ibn Battuta visited Quanzhou and described the port as one of the largest harbors in the world: " seaport with ships of all sizes from all corners of the world, pestering the landing stage and sailing again, dynamic markets where merchants from different regions exchanged goods. ”It appears that Marco Polo's mission was to accompany the Mongolian princess to her wedding ceremony from Quanzhou to Persia (the modern state of Iran).

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Several historic sites along the Maritime Silk Road in Quanzhou bear witness to the city's glorious history. Wrecks found in the Quanzhou Bay (Houzhu Harbor), which also included sailing ship with a wooden hull, are proof of the dynamic activity and prosperity of the port. It is believed that the above-mentioned sunken three-masted commercial vessel was built in the 13th century in Quanzhou, and at the time of the wreck the ship was returning from South-East Asia filled with spices, medicines and other goods. During the Song period, along with the fact that Quanzhou was a major center of trade and exchange along the Maritime Silk Road, the city held a leading position in shipbuilding and the development of navigation technology.

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Quanzhou gathered sailors, merchants and explorers from different parts of the world, thanks to their presence in the city, peaceful coexistence of various ethnic and religious groups, including Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Nestorians, Manichaeans, Jews, Catholics and Muslims, reigned. This is evidenced by the many historical religious sites and monuments in Quanzhou. The Twin Towers Kaiyuan Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple complex in China, and the statue of Laozi, the legendary founder of Taoism, is one of the largest Chinese statues of this kind. The ancient Chinese Qingjing Mosque bears witness to Quanzhou's longstanding engagement with the Arab Islamic world. The Manichean temple of Kan An (meaning thatched hut) houses the only statue of the Manichean prophet Mani.

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The bridge is one of the oldest inventions of mankind. The first bridge of primitive man - a log across the river, after centuries, bridges began to be built of stone, fastening them with cement mortar. They served as a ferry across natural barriers and for the delivery of water. Over time, bridges have become not only a demonstration of the greatness of engineering, but also one of the most beautiful human creations. We bring to your attention record-breaking bridges in various parameters.

1. Bridge Si Du (Si Du) over the river over a deep gorge near Yesangguan, Hubei province, China. The tallest bridge in the world is 1,627 feet (496m). The main span of the bridge is 2,952 feet (900 m).

2. The recently completed Baluarte Bridge is the tallest cable-stayed bridge in the world, connecting the northwestern Mexican states of Sinaloa, Durango and Mazatlan, where couchsurfing flourishes. It is 1,124 meters (3,687 feet) long and hangs at 400 meters (1,312 feet). The Beluarte Bridge was built in honor of the bicentennial of Mexico's independence from Spain (1810).

3. The Royal Gorge Bridge is located on the Arkansas River near Canon City, Colorado, USA. From 1929 to 2003, it held the record for the tallest bridge in the world, with a height of 955 feet (291m), a span of 938 feet (286m).

4. The world's highest Millau Bridge in France. It is a stunning cable structure with a single mast reaching 1125 feet (338 m). The bridge crosses the Tarn valley near Millau, and on cloudy days it looks like it floats in the clouds. The project was designed by the English architect Norman Foster, the cost of the bridge was £ 272 million and it was fully financed from private sources. French President Jacques Chirac called the bridge "a miracle of equilibrium".

5. China recently built the longest, 26.4 km long sea bridge in the world (total length 42.5 km, but one branch is still unfinished).

6. The longest bridge in the world outside Asia is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in southern Louisiana, USA. Almost 24 miles (38 km) long, it is the seventh longest bridge in the world.

7. The longest bridge in the southern hemisphere is the Rio-Niteroi Bridge, which connects the Brazilian cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. Its length is 8.25 miles (13.290 km).

8. The Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe (including viaducts) - 10.7 miles (17.2 km). it cable-stayed bridge surrounded by viaducts that block the Tagus River near Lisbon, Portugal. Vasco da Gama is the ninth longest bridge in the world.

9. The longest single-span suspension bridge located in Great Britain - the bridge over the Humber estuary (Humber Estuary bridge). Its construction was completed in 1981, and then its length of 1,410 meters was a record in the world.

10. The longest bridge in England is the Second Severn Crossing, which is about 3.2 km long, which is twice as long as the Humber Bridge. The bridge was thrown across the River Severn between England and Wales. The second stage was opened on June 5, 1996, and was built to increase the capacity of the original bridge, which was built in 1966.

11. The Sutong Yangtze River Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with the longest main span in the world at 1,088 meters (3,570 feet). It connects two cities on opposite banks of the Yangtze River - Nantong and Changsha (China).

12. The oldest bridge in the world is Pons Fabricius or Ponte dei Quattro Capi in Rome, Italy, which was built in 62 BC.

Usually, when it comes to ancient buildings that have survived to this day, they recall the Colosseum, Leaning tower of pisa and Egyptian pyramids... But in fact, there are buildings that, although they were built thousands of years ago, are still in use today. Bridges are prime examples of such structures. In our review, there are 10 of the oldest of them.

1. Shekhar Bridge

Yemen
The Shekhar Bridge, also known as the "Bridge of Sighs" (not to be confused with the Venetian), 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 the old days, the Shekhara Bridge was the only way to a major mountain village Shekhara and it was built not only for the convenience of communication, but also to protect against Turkish invaders. They say that locals know how to bring down a bridge in just a minute, completely isolating a mountain village.

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's 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 an unpleasant smell that spread throughout the district, 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 foundation of an old bridge, by order of Shah Abbas II, a 133-meter arch was built across the Zayande River. a stone bridge Haju. 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. Fabrice 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 curator dear 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 Lollius and Quintus Aemilius Lepidus made adjustments to the bridge to improve it (although which ones are unknown).

6. 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 that were 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 national park Exmoor, a 55-meter structure across the Barlo River, consists 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 was part of military road between the cities of Tiryns and Epidaurus in the Mycenaean era. It is wider than normal 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.

For connoisseurs beautiful architecture will definitely like it and. They are worthy to walk on them at least once in a lifetime.

Bridge building, like nothing else, characterizes the level of development of society, the degree of technical and scientific progress, if you like, more broadly - the level of civilization.

And we have something to be proud of ...

Moscow.
The oldest surviving Moscow bridge is Palace Lefortovsky. Architect - Semyon Yakovlev. Built, according to various sources, in 1777 or 1781-1799.

Lefortovo bridge. Moscow. Photo of the late 19th century.

Lefortovo bridge. Moscow.

In Moscow, there is also the Rostokinsky aqueduct across the Yauza River (the so-called "Millionniy Bridge"), which was built in 1780-1805 for water supply. It is now pedestrian.

Rostokinsky aqueduct. Moscow. Photo of the late 19th - early 20th century

Apparently, park bridges should be included in a separate category.Xviii century in Neskuchny Garden. One of them is three-arched.

Boring Garden. Moscow.

The bridge in Tsaritsyno, Figured, 1776-1778. The architect is also V.I. Bazhenov.

The complex of structures of the summer residence of CatherineII enters Big bridge(1778-1774) through the ravine. It is the largest surviving bridge from the 18th century. Architect V.I. Bazhenov.

Tambov.
Derzhavinsky bridge over the Studenets river, built in 1786-1788. It had three arches (two of them are laid, one is filled up).

Vologda.

Stone bridge over the Zolotukha river; built in 1789-1791 according to the project of the architect P.T. Bortnikov. For its considerable width, it is called the "street-bridge".

Ryazan.
Kamenny Glebovsky bridge, built on the site of the wooden one (leads to the Ryazan Kremlin). According to some reports, it was erected inXviii century; on others - at the beginningXIXth.

Kaluga.

The stone bridge over the Berezuevsky ravine is the largest stone viaduct in Russia. It was built in 1785 by the architect P.R. Nikitin.

For comparison ...

Venice. Rialto Bridge, 1588-1591

The famous "Golden Bridge" in Florence, Ponte Vecchio. Built in 1345.

Prague, Charles Bridge, built in 1357

The construction of bridges in Russia began a long time ago. The oldest of them, thanks to the abundance of forests, were cut from wood. The first bridges were simply trees thrown from coast to coast (Fig. 209). With the growth and strengthening of the Kiev state and the growth of cities at the end of the 10th century, the art of building was also improved.

The extraordinary skill of Russian carpenters attracted the attention of foreign travelers. Jean Sauvage Diepsky, who visited Russia, notes: “The fence of Arkhangelsk is a castle built of pointed and cross logs; its construction of logs is excellent; there are no nails or hooks, but everything is so well finished that there is nothing to blaspheme, although all the tools of the Russian builders consist of axes; but no architect can do better than they did. "

In "Russkaya Pravda" (1020) there is a special article "on the bridge workers". In the army of Yarosdav the Wise (1019-1054) there was a special class of military builders, who were called "city dwellers" - builders of fortresses, "bridge builders" - builders of bridges and crossings and "vicious masters" who arranged various kinds of machines (vices) for the siege of fortresses ... Under their command were the workers: "carpenters, woodcutters, hirelings, businessmen." Thus, already at the beginning of the 11th century, Russia had skilled craftsmen - specialists in various fields of construction. The most common type of bridge on big rivers there were floating, so-called "living" bridges, which consisted of a number of rafts, boats or barges that supported the flooring. A similar floating bridge across the Dnieper in Kiev was built during the reign of Vladimir Monomakh in 1115. For that time, this bridge was a remarkable engineering structure.

Novgorodians have long been famous for their skill of "woodworkers", whose artistic taste and skill are evidenced by the examples of the remarkable skill of their successors preserved in the north. The famous bridge across the Volkhov River - the place where the Novgorodians were resolved (Fig. 210) - had supports in the form of log cabins, gorodny with an upper through part. The log flooring (Fig. 211) of the canvas rested on it.

The span adjacent to the city wall was usually made as a lifting bridge and was called an erection bridge. The first chronicle indication of the construction of drawbridges dates back to 1229. Their lifting mechanism consisted of a rocker, rotating between posts (zheravtsy), and chains.

Ravines and small rivers were often blocked by a double or triple row of through log walls - fences connected by transverse rows of logs (Fig. 212).

Such a design existed at the end of the 18th century on the Arkhangelsk tract, which is reflected in the above drawings. On the low-water channel for the free passage of water, holes remained, often to the full height of the fence, and a bridge was obtained, the abutments of which were a two- or three-row through wall. The spring waters passed through the horizontal horizontal slits between the adjacent rows of logs. The next step was bridges with ridge supports made of solid walls, which were filled with stone or earth. One of the surviving bridges of this kind is shown in Fig. 213, 214. It is located on the river. Kene near the village of Ovchinkonets (Fedorovskoe). To reduce the span of the ryazh, short pieces were produced in the form of consoles. One of the bridges with such outlets (Fig. 215) has survived in the Caucasus along the Sukhum road.

The Tatar invasion delayed the development of Russian engineering and, in particular, the construction of bridges.

The only exceptions were Novgorod and Pskov, which were not directly affected by the invasion of the Tatar hordes. In the XV-XVI centuries, the Pskov designs, which worked in other cities, were especially famous in Russia.

During the period of strengthening of the Moscow principality, during the process of the unification of the Russian state, the construction of bridges was also revived.

Bridges played a significant role in military operations. Under Dmitry Donskoy, during the siege of Tver, a bridge was built across the Volga, and during the war with the Tatars - across the Don (1380). Such bridges were built in Novgorod more than once. During the struggle for Moscow, a wooden floating wall was built here on Volkhov (1477). It is known that during the campaign of Ivan III he also built a floating bridge near Novgorod. The first wooden bridges in Moscow were also "alive": Moskvoretsky, Krymsky and others (Fig. 216).

Notes (edit)

1. The Novgorod Chronicle says in one place: "That same autumn (1335) brought ice and snow into the Volkhov and above the gorodin of the great bridge."

2. The bridge was measured in 1946 by architect. Opolovnikov and Zabello, who own the above drawings. Built in 1528 by the ignorant Pskovite, the dam across the Volkhov in Novgorod was just of this type with ryadhes thrown with stone.

3. The builders at that time were called "rozmysla", "ward craftsmen", "city clerics", etc.