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 a lot to be proud of...

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

Lefortovsky bridge. Moscow. Photo from the end of the 19th century.

Lefortovsky bridge. Moscow.

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

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

In a separate category, apparently, should be taken out park bridgesXVIII century in the Neskuchny Garden. One of them is three-arched.

Boring Garden. Moscow.

Bridge in Tsaritsyn, Figured, 1776-1778. The architect is also V.I. Bazhenov.

As part of the complex of buildings of the summer residence of CatherineII included big bridge(1778-1774) through the ravine. It is the largest surviving bridge of 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 were laid, one was filled up).

Vologda.

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

Ryazan.
Stone Glebovsky bridge, built on the site of a wooden one (leads to the Ryazan Kremlin). According to one information, it was built inXVIII century; according to 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 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 1357

The history of wooden bridge building in our country has not yet been the subject of special study. Only the most brief mentions and simple enumerations of monuments in general works and popular essays on the history of bridge building in general and Russian wooden architecture are devoted to this topic. This article attempts to systematize Russian wooden bridges historically established and currently existing types.

Short story. The art of building bridges has been highly developed since ancient times. The main building material was pine due to the straightness and evenness of the trunk, good mechanical properties of wood and resistance to decay, as well as wide distribution. Ancient bridges, like other structures, were chopped and processed with an ax: grooves and nests were cut down when tying beams; even the manufacture of tesa was carried out by splitting logs lengthwise into several parts with wedges. Therefore, the chroniclers, speaking of the construction of wooden buildings or structures, used the word “cut down” instead of the word “build”: they cut down huts, mansions, bridges, etc.

The first mention of bridges in Russian chronicles dates back to the end of the 10th century. The improvement of building art caused the emergence of a special kind of specialists - builders of bridges and crossings, called "bridgemen". The first bridges were trees thrown from coast to coast, on big rivers ferry rafts were set up. Several interconnected rafts, on top of which a log flooring was laid, formed a “living”, floating bridge. They were common on large rivers.

In 1115, under Vladimir Monomakh, a floating bridge across the Dnieper was built in Kyiv. Since floating bridges were quickly built and easily dismantled, they played a large role in hostilities. There are two such bridges across the Volga, mentioned in reports about the siege of Tver under Dmitry Donskoy, another bridge for crossing the Don during the battle with the Tatars in 1380. The first bridges of Moscow were “alive”: Moskvoretsky, Krymsky, etc. It should be noted that floating bridges were widely used in Russia until the end of the 19th century. The main reason for this was the significant width and depth of the rivers, as well as strong ice drift; under such conditions, floating bridges without permanent supports seemed to be the most appropriate, simple and cheap structures.

1. Moskvoretsky "live" - ​​floating bridge. Picard engraving of the 17th century. (Photo library of GNIMA named after Shchusev)

2. Single-span bridge in the city of Yeniseisk, late 19th century.

3. Cantilever-beam bridge with an arched span on the river. This is the Arkhangelsk region. (photo taken in 1920, Shchusev GNIMA Photo Library)

Floating bridges could also be drawbridges; to allow ships to pass, one part of the bridge (raft) was set aside. Picard's engraving of the 17th century gives an idea of ​​the floating drawbridge Moskvoretsky, which already existed in 1498. (Fig. 1) and a figurative description by Pavel Aleppsky: “There are several bridges on the Moskva River, most of which are built on wooden piles. The bridge near the Kremlin, opposite the gates of the second city wall, arouses great surprise: it is even, made of large wooden beams, fitted one to the other and tied with thick ropes of linden bark, the ends of which are attached to the towers and to the opposite bank of the river. When the water rises, the bridge rises, because it is not supported by pillars, but consists of boards lying on the water, and when the water decreases, the bridge also sinks. When a ship approaches with supplies for the palace from the regions of Kazan and Astrakhan ... from Kolomna ... to the bridges approved (on piles), then its mast is lowered and the ship is escorted under one of the spans; when they approach the mentioned bridge, then one of the connected parts of it is released from the ropes and taken away from the path of the ship, and when it passes to the side of the Kremlin, then that part (of the bridge) is brought back to its place. There are always many ships that bring all kinds of supplies to Moscow ... On this bridge there are shops where a brisk trade takes place; there is a lot of movement on it; we constantly go there for a walk ... troops are constantly moving back and forth along it. All city maids, servants and commoners come to this bridge to wash their clothes in the river, because the water here is high, on a level with the bridge. The Moskvoretsky "living" bridge was opposite the Water Gates of the wall of Kitay-gorod; in the second half of the XVIII century. it was replaced by a wooden bridge on stilts.

Drawbridges were used in fortifications. The first annalistic indications of their structure date back to 1229: “... and the erection bridge and the zheravets vozhgosh ...”, - the Ipatiev Chronicle reports. The span adjoining the city wall was made lifting and was called an erect bridge. The mechanism that set the bridge in motion consisted of a rocker arm rotating between the pillars (zheravtsy) and chains. In the XVI century. the bridges of the Kremlin - Konstantin-Eleninsky, Spassky, Nikolsky - were connected with a lock system that regulated the filling of the moat with water from the Neglinnaya River, and had a wooden lifting structure adopted for fortresses. In the 17th century Trinity Bridge had a lifting part.

Strengthening bridges. In the middle - additional foundations. Below - by the appropriate direction of the load with the help of wheel-impact bars (1 and 2) and the reinforcement of the flooring (3 and 4).

The types of bridges described above in their design are movable bridges. Permanent bridges were a fundamentally different type. Depending on the number of supports on which the spans rested, they were divided into single-span or multi-span. The ancient type of single-span bridges includes rowing bridges, the first mention of them dates back to 977: in Vruchia there is a “rowing bridge”. Rowing was arranged in the wide floodplains of the rivers and was like a dirt road. In the middle part, a slot was left for the construction of a single-span bridge, the abutments of which were log cabins with backfilling with earth and stone. Probably, rowing could also consist of solid log cabins with a slot in the middle part. At the end of the XIX century. L. F. Nikolai, analyzing the drawings of wooden bridges, measured on the Arkhangelsk tract in 1795, came to the conclusion: “A similar method of crossing wide floodplains of rivers is still used ...”. Bridges of the late 19th - early 20th centuries had a similar design. in the city of Yeniseisk (Fig. 2) and on the river. This is in the Arkhangelsk region (Fig. 3). Consistently protruding logs of the bank abutments formed an almost arched structure. In order to prevent the bridge from floating during floods, cobblestones were laid along the edges of the flooring.

In the case when several holes were left in the log house for the entire height of the fence, a multi-span bridge was obtained with supports in the form of cages or gorodny (Subsequently, such supports were called rows or bulls). To ensure the necessary degree of immobility and non-floatability, log cabins, as a rule, were covered with stones. Runs of logs were laid on top of the gorodni in the longitudinal direction, in turn, a continuous roll of logs was laid on them in the transverse direction - the flooring of the roadway. The carpenters were required to create a strong support for the roadway, which at the same time could withstand the turbulent flow of water in the spring flood. These tasks were complicated by the fact that the bridges reached considerable sizes.

Novgorodians were famous for their craftsmanship. The famous Great Bridge across the river. Volkhov had supports in the form of gorodni and was built obliquely across the river (the width of the Volkhov near Novgorod is about 250 m). Under 1133, the Novgorod First Chronicle reports: “In the same summer, we renovated the bridge through Volkhovo, destroying it.” Starting from this date, chronicles systematically report damage to the gorodny bridge by flood, storm, ice drift. There is a miniature of Nikon's chronicle of the XVI century, which depicts the Great Bridge, where the execution of the strigolniks takes place in 1375.

Bridges, in addition to their main purpose - crossing over any obstacle, were used as street markets. On the Moskvoretsky bridge, which was mentioned above, there were benches. Resurrection bridge on the river. The Neglinka was a brick multi-span structure covered with a wooden pavement, and was built up on both sides with two rows of chopped wooden trading shops. It was located at the Resurrection Gates of Kitay-gorod and provided an exit from the city to Red Square near the current Historical Museum.

Stone and wooden bridges were logical in the system of defensive structures of the Kremlin. To prevent enemies from crossing the bridge, it was enough to dismantle or even burn the wooden flooring of the bridge. Then he recovered easily.

Changes in the country's economy, caused by the transformations of Peter I, had a positive impact on the development of bridge building. The construction of the capital at the mouth of the Neva required a device a large number crossings in a relatively short time. The first bridge of the new city, built in 1705, was floating. Instead of rafts, pontoons were used there. Such bridges were built in St. Petersburg throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the most notable of which was St. Isaac's. Simultaneously with floating bridges across the canals, permanent bridges were built on pile supports. It is interesting to note the fact that at this time wooden bridges were often built according to "patterns", i.e. standard standard drawings. By 1748, there were about 40 wooden bridges in St. Petersburg, about half of which had drawbridges. On the river Fontanka, according to the project of V. V. Rastrelli, an aqueduct was built, which, using a special machine, supplied water to the fountains of the Summer Garden.

An outstanding achievement of Russian technical thought of the XVIII century. was the project of I. P. Kulibin. It was proposed to block the Neva with a huge wooden arch with a span of 294 m.

The most responsible and complex engineering and technical structure among bridges are dam bridges, which are functionally connected with the whole system of hydraulic structures. From the end of the 17th century the construction of waterways of national importance began, such as the Vyshne-Volotsk, Tikhvin, Mariinsky systems. All hydraulic structures of these systems were wooden. The Vytegorsk Museum of Local Lore has preserved views of the dams and bridges of the Mariinsky system. St. Paul's Dam (at the same time it served as a bridge), located on the river. Vytegre near the village Devyatiny, had a ribbed stepped drain, the difference in the heights of the pool marks (the pool is the section of the river between two neighboring dams on the river) was 8.5 m. The Anninsky swing bridge on the river was of considerable interest. Kovzha, it existed from 1810 to 1896. The middle support of the bridge had a swivel mechanism that could turn 90 ° along with the spans of the bridge, allowing oncoming ships to pass freely from both sides. Until 1961, there was a drawbridge on the connecting canal in Vytegra. It was built on piles. The middle part of the bridge had two lifting parts of the span, different in size. With the introduction of the Volga-Baltic waterway, the Mariinsky system was reconstructed with the replacement of wooden hydraulic structures with concrete ones.

The extensive construction of highways, and then railways in the 19th century. led to the growth of bridge construction. A wide variety of constructive systems of superstructures appeared: strut, arched, trusses, etc. The issues of engineering construction in Russia of this period are beyond the scope of this article and deserve special consideration. With the introduction of new building materials (cast iron, concrete, steel, etc.), wooden bridges are gradually being replaced, and then in the central part of the USSR their almost complete disappearance.

Modern wooden bridge building. In the North of the USSR, wooden bridge building has received the most striking and multifaceted development. The stability of the northern way of life contributed to the transfer from generation to generation of the building skills of folk architects, so samples of various types of wooden bridges have been preserved here to this day. What are the varieties of bridges that have been preserved and are currently under construction, what are their technical and design features?

Wooden bridges experience great physical and atmospheric impacts, therefore, more often than other structures, they are subjected to a bulkhead or replacement of individual parts, but at the same time, the original forms and structural basis remain the same, formed from the river regime and operating conditions. Thanks to these features, bridges, unlike other structures, retain their original forms, which date back to ancient times.

Ferry crossings are the easiest way to communicate between the coasts. They are used for light traffic. A raft, or pontoon, ferry moves manually along a rope thrown from shore to shore along the bottom of the river or above the water. For example, in the Arkhangelsk region on the Onega and Moshe rivers, ancient ferry crossings have been preserved, which are currently used. In cases where the construction of a bridge on permanent supports is expensive and cannot be justified by the cargo turnover, floating bridges are used. With a high water level, all rafts of such a bridge are afloat, with a lower horizon, part of the rafts near the coast rests on the bottom of the river. With the onset of winter, these raft bridges have to be dismantled and put into backwaters, protected from floods and ice drift. In this case, communication between the banks on winter period takes place on ice. In Kargopol across the river. Onega was thrown a pontoon bridge. In more remote areas, raft floating bridges have been preserved - in the village. Korovino on the river. Kene and pos. Ust-Pocha in the Plesetsk district of the Arkhangelsk region.

4. Bridges in with. Purnema, Arkhangelsk region A - new bridge(1969), the solid construction of the bridge was not brought to the slope of the ravine; b - the old bridge (1927) has a solid log structure with logs laid "in dir"

5. Cantilever-beam single-span bridge made of timber in the village. Gridino, Karelia

6. Bridge ancient construction with supports from rectangular log cabins in the village of Verkhovskaya, Komi Republic (Photo by I. N. Shurgin)

7. Bridge with two triangular log cabins in the village. Stupino Arch. region

Narrow obstacles, such as ravines and rivers, are covered by solid bridges. They consist of end-to-end rows of log cabins (ryarzh log cabin), connected in the transverse direction by the same rows of logs, forming a monolithic structure. Such a design, for example, has been preserved in the Arkhangelsk region at Kenozero in the village of Tarasovo. The old bridge in the village Purnema in the Arkhangelsk region (Fig. 4, b) is arranged through a deep ravine (8 m); its flooring rests on a solid log cabin filling the moat to the very bottom. This method of felling “in cut” (It is necessary to distinguish the concept of a ribbed frame or ribbed support from cutting “in cut”. Ryazh is the accepted name for the construction of a bridge support. “Rezh” is a way of laying logs with gaps) protects the bridge from decay and allows free skip the spring waters. A hole is left in the middle part for the free passage of water. The bridge has already fallen into disrepair, its edges have sagged, as the bank of the slope is sandy. In 1969, next to the old bridge, a new one was built, similar in design, but the log frame was not completed to the end of the moat (Fig. 4, a). The new wooden bridge is also of considerable interest.

The most common type of bridge for small rivers are single-span girder bridges, such as those in Ust-Tsilma, Komi ASSR. To increase the span between the supports, a cantilever-beam structure is used - successively protruding logs of the coastal abutments. Such a bridge in Gridino of the Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (Fig. 5) was built across a stormy, rocky river, its foundations are littered with boulders.

On wider rivers, multi-span bridges are being built; this is achieved by introducing intermediate supports: piled, woven. With rocky or silty soil, ribbed supports are arranged, having a different shape of log cabins: three-, four-, five-sided and more complex.

Simple and more ancient supports are rectangular log cabins. In the Komi ASSR, in the village of Verkhovskaya (Ust-Tsilmsky district), a bridge was built across the Domashny stream (Fig. 6), the flooring of which, without a fence, lies on four rectangular bull-cages. Log cabins are processed with an ax, stacked "in cut" and have large outlets.

In the Arkhangelsk region, in the village of Stupino (Nyandomsky district), in 1967 a bridge was measured, the intermediate abutments of which have a triangular shape (Fig. 7), and the log house of bulls was placed at an angle towards the river flow.

On rivers with ice drift, robes of a five-sided shape are arranged. A triangular appendage is nailed to the rectangular frame of the bull, which acts as an ice cutter. Wooden bridges with this form of log cabins are the most widespread and can reach considerable sizes. In with. Shueretsky Karelian ASSR (Fig. 8) the bridge has eleven bulls, and its length is 150 m. Ryagovo (Kargopolye) with a bridge length of more than 100 m, the height of the ridge reaches 8 m (Fig. 9). (Today, a new concrete bridge has been built nearby.)

As a rule, ribbed bridges have the original foundation of log cabins, since the tree has been preserved in the water for centuries. When replacing or rebuilding the top of the supports, their shapes are repeated. There are many similar bridges in the Arkhangelsk region in the direction of Krechetovo-Kargopol-Oshevensk on the rivers Ukhta, Tikhmanga, Lekshma, Churega. With the same design solutions, each of them has its own unique architectural and artistic image (Fig. 10).

8. The longest surviving wooden bridge (150 m) in the village. Shueretskoe, Karelia

9. Ryazhevoy bull of the bridge in the village. Ryagovo reaches a height of 8 m. (Arch. region)

North of Oshevensk, in the place where the river. Churiega flows into the river. Kenu, in the 15th century. Kenoretsky Monastery was founded, which reached its peak in the late 17th - early 18th centuries. This time includes large land acquisitions on both sides of the river. Kens. In 1764 the monastery was abolished, in 1800 a fire destroyed its buildings. The only witnesses of that time are two ridge bridges: in the village of Leshino (now the village of Kenoretskaya) (Fig. 11) and three kilometers downstream, in the village of Pelyugino.

According to the old Russian tradition, at the entrance to the Pelyuginsky bridge, on an elevated bank, there was a chapel on the basement, with a hipped belfry above the entrance, surrounded by a gallery (now transferred to the Arkhangelsk Museum of Wooden Architecture "Small Karely").

Back in 1946, the expedition of the Institute of History and Theory of Architecture of the Academy of Architecture of the USSR explored Kargopolye. One of the most important results of her work was the measurements of the Kensky bridges, carried out by A. V. Opolovnikov. In 1982, the author of the article conducted a re-examination and measurements, which showed that, despite the almost complete replacement of the building material, the shape and design of the bridges did not change. Perfected over the centuries, these forms have proven to be very stable.

The constructive basis of the Ken bridges is the same. The five-span bridge near the village of Leshino is 114 m long, the four-span bridge near the village of Pelyugino is 84 m long. so that all the outlines of the plan resemble the shape of a boat. The bottom here is rocky, the current of the river is very fast, so the log house is littered with boulders. To eliminate the resulting thrust and to evenly fill the bull with boulders in the transverse and longitudinal directions at different levels, the log cabins have a bandaging of the crowns that form a system of internal trihedral "pockets". The upper tetrahedral base of the bull forms troughs on the releases of logs, which makes it possible to increase spans up to 15 m.

12. Ryazhevoy bridge with a triangular shape on the river. Keme (Vologda region) A combination of folk traditions and engineering techniques (Photo by Sevan O. G.)

Unlike civil structures, bridges do not have a shell - walls, ceilings that hide the supporting structure. Therefore, the constructive system of bridges remains open and forms the basis of the architectural composition. Bridges are rarely subjected to artistic processing, their architectural expressiveness is achieved by the boldness of constructive solutions, the originality of spatial composition and various methods of wood processing. The most interesting engineering and architectural structure is the bridge across the river. Kema in the Vytegorsky district of the Vologda region. Its distinguishing feature - a triangular log truss - significantly enriches the three-dimensional composition: it is arranged "in thrust" in the deeper part of the river, which allows increasing the length of the span (Fig. 12). Another example is the bridge in the village. Umba Murmansk region. Its bright artistic expressiveness is achieved by the log struts of the spans and the X-shaped framing of the bridge's handrails (Fig. 13).

Any wooden bridge, having its own special artistic image, is also part of the environment: landscape or residential development. In the Oshevensky complex of villages located along the Churiega and Khaluy rivers, wooden bridges are an important element of the planning structure and, together with unique cult, residential and outbuildings, form a harmonious whole.

The city of Belomorsk (formerly the village of Soroka) can be considered a kind of "reserve" of wooden bridges. The old part of the city is built of wood and has no unique monuments architecture, but nature itself made it extraordinarily picturesque. When it flows into the White Sea, the Vyg River overcomes many rapids and, spreading over several kilometers, forms about forty islands, on which the village of Soroka was once located. In these natural conditions bridges have become a necessary element of intracity communication. On a relatively small old territory there are about twenty of them in cities (Fig. 14). Unfortunately, several bridges have been lost, the longest among them (more than 300 m) was replaced with a concrete one. But all existing bridges, having merged with the space of the river, and buildings, together with rapids, created a unique image of this city.

The idea of ​​wooden bridge building at the present time would be incomplete if not to mention some of the preserved types of purely "engineering" bridges, among which beam bridges with pile supports of various combinations with frame and strut systems are the most widely used. Multi-span beam bridge on the river. Tartas in Novosibirsk region(50s of the XX century) has a two- and four-row system of pile supports (Fig. 15). In the transverse direction, the pillars of the frame of the supports have diagonal grips, and the entire structure of the supports is fastened with steel bolts and pins. Runs are laid on the supports, in turn, on them - the flooring of the roadway. The length of the bridge is 66 m. Ice cutters 11 m long are arranged in front of the middle supports.

An important component of a bridge with pile and frame supports are wooden ice cutters. To protect the supports and spans from shaking when ice floes hit, ice cutters are not connected to the bridge supports. Narrow supports are protected by flat ice cutters with one or two rows of piles. With wide supports, hipped ice cutters are used, consisting of several rows of piles. Ice floes approaching the ice cutter, under the influence of inertia forces and water pressure, rise along it and break under the influence of their own weight.

Until now, there are still wooden bridges with trusses, which have been widely used since the middle of the 19th century. Span structures with Gau-Zhuravsky trusses are the most common design of wooden bridges. Such a bridge was built in 1967 on the river. Moshe in the Arkhangelsk region (Fig. 16). The channel spans of the bridge are blocked by span structures with trusses with a ride along the bottom (calculated span 31.5 m). The outer spans are covered with spans of a simple beam system with two-tier girders. The length of the bridge is 146 m.

Another type are bridges with a strut system. In the Plesetsk district of the Arkhangelsk region there is a wooden overpass (a bridge designed to pass one road over another), built in 1939 on the Plesetsk-Kargopol highway, which passes over the railway local importance, forming an oblique intersection at 42°. The three-span bridge has frame supports on a bed base (Fig. 17). The two middle supports are completed with a combined strut system, which made it possible to make a middle span. The design of the overpass is typical for bridge structures of the 19th - early 20th centuries. and now almost never occurs. Despite the fact that the bridge is in good condition, it is threatened with destruction.

Currently, there is another type of single-span bridges - suspension bridges, found in the Arkhangelsk region. The bridge in the village of Papinskaya, Konosha district (Fig. 18) has the following structure: two log cabins with walk-through gates at the upper level are placed on both banks of the river, metal cables are stretched along the top and bottom of the openings of the log house, fixed to the ground with metal crutches. Along the entire length of the bridge, the upper and lower cables are interconnected by wooden bars (acting as suspensions), and wooden flooring is laid on the lower cables. Boardwalks are laid on both sides of the log cabins. On the river Emtse in with. Yemtsa, Arkhangelsk region, the suspension bridge of the hydrometeorological service was built in 1928 (see the 4th side of the cover). The uncomplicated design creates a beautiful silhouette against the background of the river, giving lightness to the entire structure. Suspension bridges, which have been widely used since the middle of the 19th century, are now rare.

Wooden engineering bridges were the forerunners of structures made of steel and concrete and played a certain historical role in their time. It seemed that with the development of professional engineering bridge building, with the introduction of various new structural systems - braced, arched, hanging, etc. - they should have completely replaced the ribbed, folk bridges, forced them out. However, this did not happen.

Folk wooden bridges, having a long history, are examples of the stability of the architectural form, which have been accurately worked out by many generations of builders, carpenters, and folk architects.

In our age of technological progress, the widespread replacement of wooden bridges with modern steel and concrete ones leads to the disappearance of this type of structures in some places. At the same time, in the North of the USSR and in Siberia, where wood is the main building material, they continue to build wooden bridges, especially since wood is a cheap building material that allows for quick harvesting and processing, and allows construction to be completed in the shortest possible time. Wooden bridge structures, reflecting the ancient culture of the Russian people, link times and generations; even today they are of practical importance and are the most valuable contribution to cultural heritage our motherland.

8. Laskovsky F. F. Materials for the history of engineering art in Russia. SPb., 1858. Part 1.

9. Novgorod first chronicle of the older and younger editions of M.; L., 1950.

10. Punin A. L. The story of the Leningrad bridges. L., 1971.

11. Zabella S. Kargopol expedition. - In the book: Architectural heritage. M., 1955, No. 5.

When we think about buildings that have survived to this day, we tend to think of the Colosseum, the leaning tower in Pisa, and the pyramids. But what about the structures that are used - for their intended purpose - until now?

While most of the ancient structures have been given a second life as tourist attractions, an ordinary, unassuming bridge can retain its original purpose for centuries.

There are many bridges that were built hundreds of years ago and are still used in everyday life today due to the fact that they were built to last.

While older bridges are more likely to be destroyed by natural disasters, explode during wars, or burn out in tragic disasters, the bridges on this list have survived the centuries relatively unchanged.

10. Fabricius Bridge (Pons Fabricius), Rome, Italy

The Romans built many things that have stood the test of time. Thanks to their rigorous and efficient construction methodology, several important structures erected during the Roman era still stand to this day. If you want to carefully examine and study the fruits of their handicraft, then go to Rome and visit the bridge of Fabricius.

The bridge was built by Lucius Fabricius in 62 BC, probably to replace a burned-out wooden bridge. It can be said that Lucius ordered it to be built, since he wrote it on the bridge in four different places.

In 21 BC two consuls, Marcus Lollius and Quintus Aemilius Lepidus, corrected the bridge so that it was better preserved after the flood that occurred in 23 BC. However, it is not specified anywhere what improvements were made.

It may have been the addition of a small arch on the bridge, which relieved pressure during floods. This is probably the only thing that helped the bridge to survive for centuries.

9. Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy


Built in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio is located in Florence (Italy). It was erected to replace a wooden bridge that could not withstand the flood, so it is still preserved in its original splendor.
An interesting feature of the Ponte Vecchio bridge (which means "old bridge" in Italian) is a vaulted gallery with shops. Today, jewelry and various souvenirs are sold here, and initially there were butcher shops in the passage. Actually, because of the fishmongers and butchers who traded here in the 15th century, an unpleasant smell is still felt on the bridge.

Considering that at that time Florence was becoming the capital of the Renaissance, Grand Duke Ferdinand I banned the sale of meat and fish on the bridge, ordering that only gold and silver craftsmen's shops be located on it, which created an attractive image for the city, contributing to an increase in the flow of wealthy foreign tourists.

The bridge would hardly have survived to this day if not for the act of respect shown during World War II. When German soldiers left the city, they blew up all the bridges during the retreat. The Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge that they have not touched, preferring to destroy access to it rather than to itself.

8. Rialto Bridge (Ponte Di Rialto), Venice, Italy


The Italian bridge was erected in 1591 on the site of a collapsed wooden bridge. It was designed by the architect Antonio de Ponte, who, in a highly competitive environment, entered the competition for best project bridge along with such outstanding architects as Michelangelo, Palladio, Vignola.

Unfortunately, after the bridge was built, it did not meet with an enthusiastic reaction among the locals. From critics, he received both praise and scornful ridicule, strongly condemning his design - "unstable and inelegant". The same attention has been drawn to eiffel tower after it was built.

Despite criticism, the bridge has remained almost intact since its inception. Considering that it had to have a 7-meter arch so that galleys could pass under it, as well as be strong enough to accommodate a row of benches in the center, it had to be structurally stable and strong. The Rialto Bridge is so strong that during the riots in 1797, cannons were fired from it.

7. Khaju Bridge, Isfahan, Iran


The construction of this bridge, erected on the foundation of the old bridge in 1667, began on the orders of Shah Abbas II. As a bridge, it fulfills its primary purpose of allowing people to cross the Zayandeh River, but it has other uses as well. Khaju Bridge also functions as a dam (and has locks) and its most interesting use is the social aspect.

Although we are not accustomed to bridges that should be used as a place for public meetings, this did not stop Shah Abbas II from trying to build one of these. Along the bridge, you can still see the impressive drawings and patterns of ceramic tiles. A pavilion was built in the middle so that Shah Abbas II and his courtiers could enjoy the picturesque scenery.

Today, the pavilion houses a café and an art gallery. A stone seat was installed in the pavilion, on which Shah Abbas II enjoyed a view of the river. This place is still located in the same place, but already in the form of remnants of its former glory.

6. Shaharah Bridge, Amran, Yemen


Shekhara Bridge (or "Bridge of Sighs", as many call it), built in the 17th century, is located at an altitude of 200 meters and connects two mountains - Jabal al-Emir (Jabal al Emir) and Jabal al-Faish (Jabal al Faish).

It was difficult for local residents, whose houses were located on the slopes of both mountains, to get to visit each other, since for this they had to first go down from one mountain and climb another. The bridge was built in order to connect two villages on both sides of a deep gorge, thereby saving time and efforts of local residents.

It was not just a dangerous area for Vehicle. Considering that this was the only entrance to the city of Shekhara, the bridge had to be fortified to repel the attacks of the Turkish invaders. They say that locals they know a way to destroy the bridge at any moment, isolating the inhabitants from danger.

Today, the Shekhara Bridge is a major tourist attraction and still serves the locals as an active bridge.

5. Cendere Bridge, Eskikale, Türkiye


Also known as Severan, the bridge was built in the 2nd century by the forces of the four cities of the Commagene kingdom. The bridge was built in honor of the Roman emperor Septimius Severus, his wife Julia and their two sons - Caracalla and Geta. Being one of the oldest, it is also the second most long bridge built by the Romans.

Two columns rise on each side of the bridge, personifying members of the imperial family: Severa and Julia on one side and Caracalla and Geta on the other. If you happen to visit the Dzhendere bridge, you will see that the column representing Geta is missing.

All because Caracalla killed Geta because of the constant rivalry, as they say, right in the arms of his mother. Moreover, Caracalla went so far as to order the death of all of Geta's friends and allies, and as a final blow to Geta's legacy, he ordered the destruction of any mention of his brother so that his name would be erased from history - including the column symbolizing Geta.

4. Anji Bridge, Shijiazhuan, China


The Anji Bridge, built in 605, is the oldest bridge in China. The bridge, whose name is translated from Chinese means "Safe Crossing Bridge", one might say, was built to last.

It has been designed to be one of the best in the world. At that time it was considered technically progressive, as it had the largest arch. Considering that it is still quite strong, it is clear that the Anji Bridge, being a very ambitious structure, was not built to the detriment of its appearance.

By the way, the bridge has stood much more than just the test of time. It has survived 10 floods, 8 wars and countless earthquakes, and only needed 9 repairs in its entire documented life.

3. Bridge of the Holy Angel (Ponte Sant'Angelo), Rome, Italy


Built on the orders of Emperor Hadrian in 136, the Sant'Angelo Bridge is one of the most famous in Rome and one of the most beautiful.

To some extent, the emperor built the bridge for his own vanity, since its main purpose is to connect the entire city with the mausoleum of Hadrian, Castel Sant'Angelo.

One of the most beautiful improvements to the bridge took place many centuries after the death of the emperor. In 1668, the Italian architect and sculptor Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini decorated the bridge along its entire length with ten statues of angels, two of which he created personally. Each of the angels holds in their hands a symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Even now, after several centuries, the bridge and the angels are still standing, being a famous and beautiful sight.

2. Tarr Steps, Exmoor, England


Tarr Steps (known as "walkways") is a crossing made of slabs on a stone support. Given the design of the bridge, it is difficult to say when it was built: it is assumed that in the period from 3000 BC. until the Middle Ages. The first documented description of the bridge was made in Tudor times, that is, at least at the end of the 15th century.

There is a legend about Tarr Steps that it was built by the devil himself, who swore to kill anyone who dared to cross it. Then the locals, wanting to test the theory, sent a cat along it. The cat has vanished. They then sent a vicar across the bridge to meet the devil in the middle of the bridge. After they agreed, the devil said that anyone can use the bridge, but if he wants to use this place for sunbathing, then the ban on using the bridge will be renewed. So if you want to walk the Tarr Steps walkways, first make sure you don't have a sunbathing devil in your way.

Unfortunately, Tarr Steps is a small exception among the bridges that have stood untouched for centuries. Considering that a pile of stones is not the best foundation, some of them were demolished over time as a result of floods. For this reason, all the stones were numbered so that in such a case they could be set back to where they lay, so that the bridge would retain its authenticity. Despite the fact that some of the stones have already been installed back several times, technically it is still the same bridge.

1. Arkadiko Bridge, Argolina, Greece


This bridge is the oldest surviving arch bridge, which is still used for its intended purpose. It is assumed that it was built during the Greek Bronze Age, in 1300-1200. BC.

During the Mycenaean civilization, the bridge was part of a military road that ran between the cities of Tiryns (Tiryns) and Epidaurus (Epidauros). The width of the bridge is almost 2.5 meters, which is much wider than conventional pedestrian bridges. According to historians, the bridge was designed in such a way that chariots could pass over it.

What makes it even more impressive is that it was built entirely of limestone stones without the use of any binder. This means that the Arkadik Bridge, solely due to the skill of its builders, stood for three millennia, starting from the time of the Mycenaean civilization, and has survived to this day.

Bridges are unusually attractive creations. Each bridge has its own character and history. Some, of course, are not so large-scale and mean something only for the surrounding residents. But there are bridges that have firmly gone down in history. We can talk about bridges endlessly, therefore we can only show some of the endless variety of these almost living creatures.

We start our journey in France. The need to build a bridge in Paris became clear in the middle of the 16th century. The structures that existed at that time, already under the influence of active traffic, became decrepit and required replacement. At the same time, it was customary to set up craft workshops and trading shops on the bridges, there were money changers, jewelers, and furniture was forged (the best examples of which can still be found today). The New Bridge was first talked about in 1556, construction began in 1578, and completed in 1607. The main difference was that it was the first bridge with sidewalks and there were no shops or houses on it. By the way, it was this idea of ​​the builder kings that caused the greatest resistance among the merchants.

2. Le Viaduc de Millau

The Tarn River cuts through France from east to west. With the growth of the population, the flow in the south-north direction also increased every year, especially in summer along the highway leading to Spain and Southern France. The only crossing over the Tarno was a bridge in the suburb of Millau. Huge congestion, exhaust pipe emissions - no one got pleasure. And after 10 years of research, a place was chosen for construction and a cable-stayed bridge over the Tarn was armed. This object broke several records at once. First of all, it is the owner of the highest roadway (270 m), the viaduct has the highest supports (244.91 m) and supports with pylons (343 m). in addition, this bridge is simply beautiful, its railings are made of translucent materials, which makes it possible for passers-by to enjoy the picturesque views of the Tarn valley.

Prague's Charles Bridge connected Mala Strana and Star Mesto at the beginning of the 15th century. Construction began in 1357 by order of the Emperor Charles IV. There are 30 sculptures on this unique bridge. There is an interesting belief that Saint John of Nepomut was thrown from the Charles Bridge. There is now a cross and a couple of copper nails in the exact spot. According to legend, if they touch the cross, then any wish made will come true.

This bridge is difficult to confuse with any other. Tower Bridge was built in just eight years (1886-1894). The carriageway of the bridge can be raised to allow ships to pass. But built on top suspension bridge at a height of 40 m for pedestrians. True, pickpockets and prostitutes quickly settled in these galleries, and after 25 years, the authorities closed access to this part of the bridge. Now (since 1982) the galleries are again available to the public as a museum and observation deck. Another interesting point is related to the support towers. In fact, these are metal structures. But outside, to protect against corrosion, they were lined with stone, as a result, the bridge took on such a solid Gothic look.

5. Szechenyi lanchid

The Szechenyi Chain Bridge was the first permanent bridge to connect Pest and Buda. At the time of completion of construction in 1849, it was considered one of the wonders of the world - the bridge had the longest span of 202 m. During the war, the bridge was completely destroyed, and in 1949 it was recreated again. There are many legends and anecdotes associated with the bridge. Stone lions at the entrance to the bridge are especially loved by the inhabitants of Budapest. It was said that they do not have tongues, although they are simply not visible from below due to the high location of the animals. They also say that lions should roar at the moment when a man passes by them, who has never cheated on his wife. What is significant - until now the lions are silent ...

6. Ponte di Rialto

We continue our journey across the bridges in Italy. Here they know how to handle their history and know what to do even with outdated buildings, as in the article. Our first stop in Venice is on the very first bridge over the Grand Canal. The first time this bridge was built of wood in 1255, but during the uprising it was burned down in 1310. The bridge was restored, but in 1444 it could not withstand the weight of the crowd and collapsed, then there was a draw option, which also did not survive. And since 1591, the bridge acquired its present form in the hands of the architect Antonio de Ponte. There are 24 shops with the most expensive Venetian souvenirs on the Rialto Bridge.

7. Ponte dei Sospiri

Not less than famous bridge Sighs in Venice is a covered structure with a roof and walls. At the beginning of the 17th century, he connected the prison and the Doge's Palace with an interrogation room and a courtroom. The name was formed from the suffering of prisoners who could see hometown for the last time from the windows of the bridge on the way to the prison. Now it is believed that if lovers swim under the bridge at sunset and kiss, then their passion will be eternal.

8. Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence has ancient predecessors. At this place, the first bridge was erected in the times ancient rome, then there were 2 more bridges until this building was built in 1345. To this day, the bridge retains its original shape. By the way, once there were shops and houses of butchers on the bridge, which were replaced by jewelers in the 16th century. Another interesting detail is the corridor above the buildings, which allowed the Grand Dukes to freely pass between their residences: the Pitti Palace and the Vecchio Palace.

In just 9 years, Suleiman the Magnificent built this bridge in Mostar across the Neretva. 420 years have passed since the Ottoman occupation - and the bridge was still standing. It was destroyed only in 1993, during the Yugoslav conflict. In 2004, the bridge was restored and became a symbol of reconciliation.

10 Chapel Bridge

In Swiss Lucerne, the hallmark is the Chapel Bridge. Back in 1365, this wooden bridge was erected, which played a significant role in the city's defensive system. The chapel was made in the form of a covered gallery, under the roof of which there were 111 triangular paintings. After the fire in 1993, most of them died, but then they were restored according to the available inventories and photos.

11. Angel Saligned Bridge

Cernavoda-Fetesti was built in Romania in 1895. At the time of construction, he held a record length - 4037 m. The bridge rises 30 m above the waters of the Danube and makes it possible for any ships to pass under it. In 1987, a new bridge was built nearby, and the old one was completely given over to tourists.

The Erasmus Bridge was built in 1996 in Rotterdam. The design is modern and very unusual. Cable-stayed bridge has a length of 808 m, at one end there is a draw span (the heaviest and largest in Western Europe). For its characteristic silhouette, the bridge was named Lebed.
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Photo con. 1900s He is.

Photo of the beginning 1850s All Saints (Stone; Bolshoy Kamenny) Bridge (built in the 1680s)

Photo 1852 by R. Fenton. He is

Photo con. 1860s Stone (Vsekhsvyatsky; Bolshoy Kamenny) bridge. The second stone bridge on this site (built in the late 1850s).

Photo taken in the 1900s. Maly Kamenny bridge across the Kanavka (Drainage Canal).

Photo of the beginning 1910s He is

Photo con. 1890s - early. 1900s Moskvoretsky bridge

Photo con. 1890s He is.

Photo con. 1889 - early. 1890s Bolshoy Ustyinsky Bridge (built in 1881 according to the project of engineer V. N. Shpeyer).

Photo from the 1900s He is

Photo con. 1860 - 1870s On the right in the picture is the Cast Iron Bridge across the Kanavka (built in the 1830s).

Photo of the beginning 1880s He is

Photo 1908 Commissariat bridge on Kanavka. It was located downstream than the current one, which is a continuation of the Ustinsky bridge. The picture was taken after the "Easter" flood in 1908.

Photo of the beginning 1890s Babiegorodskaya dam

Photo 1934 Crimean bridge

Photo of the beginning 1930s He is

Photo 1907 Krasnokholmsky bridge

Photo 1908 Krasnokholmskaya dam

Photo taken in 1934. Big Krasnokholmsky bridge.

Photo from the 1900s Novospassky bridge

Photo con. 1900s Vsekhsvyatsky pontoon bridge near the Simonov Monastery. I once wrote a lot about this bridge (see the tag "mysterious All Saints Bridge").

Photo 1910 - 1920s. He is

Photo 1907 Alekseevsky (Kozhukhovsky, now - Danilovsky) bridge.

Photo taken in 1907. He is the same.

Photo 1908 Dorogomilovsky (Borodinsky) bridge

Photo 1911 Demolition of the old Borodino bridge

Photo con. 1900 - 1910s Krasnoluzhsky (Nikolaevsky; Nicholas II) bridge. Railway bridge across the Moscow River. Built in 1905-1907, according to the project of engineer L. D. Proskuryakov and architect A. N. Pomerantsev. Moved 2 km in 2000. Now - the pedestrian bridge of Bogdan Khmelnitsky.

Photo con. 1900 - 1910s He is

Photo from the 1910s He is

Photo of 1905. Temporary railway wooden bridge of the system of engineer. Lembke - the forerunner of the Andreevsky (Sergievsky) bridge

Photo 1904-1905 He is

Photo 1908 Andreevsky (Sergievsky) bridge. Railway bridge across the Moscow River. Built in 1905-1907, according to the project of engineer L. D. Proskuryakov and architect A. N. Pomerantsev. Now, moved downstream and reconstructed, is the pedestrian Pushkin Bridge.

Bridges across the Yauza

Photo from the 1930s Old Yauzsky (Astakhovsky) bridge (built in 1876 on the supports of the bridge of 1805).

Photo taken in 1938 by B. Ignatovich. He's in the middle. It will be dismantled in 1940, and a new bridge will be built in its place, which is still in operation.

Photo 1929 Bridge across the Yauza near Serebryanichesky Lane

Photo of 1902 Vysoko-Yauzsky (High) bridge.

Photo of 1887 from the albums of N. A. Naydenov. He is

Photo 1935 Kostomarovsky bridge

Photo from the 1870s Colorized photo. Andronikov viaduct - railway bridge

Photo 1888

Photo from the 1890s He is

Photo from the 1900s Palace (Lefortovsky) bridge. The oldest of all existing Moscow bridges (and is located above the river). Built in 1770-1790s. Although, of course, it was later reconstructed, but without demolition.

Photo 1919

Photo 1907 Hospital Bridge

Photo from the 1930s hospital bridge

Photo from the 1930s Sailor's bridge

Photo from the 1930s Rubtsovsky (Pokrovsky; now - Elektrozavodsky) bridge

Photo 1896 Bridge of the Moscow-Kazan railway(now here is the railway Elektrozavodsky bridge)