In cities across the world, bridges span rivers, harbors, and canals to facilitate access that would otherwise require time-consuming ferry crossings or lengthy detours by road. Many of these storied structures have stood for centuries; others have made their mark in a much shorter space of time. Here are eight of the most interesting historic city bridges and the stories behind them.

Ponte Vecchio – Florence, Italy

The Ponte Vecchio (Italian for “Old Bridge”) spans Florence’s Arno River as the city’s oldest bridge. A bridge has stood here since Roman times, but the structure you see today dates from 1345. In its early days, the bridge was home to the city’s butchers, which was deemed a good idea at the time because it separated them from other vendors and allowed them to dispose of their scraps of waste meat straight into the water. 

However, during the 16th century — partially at the request of influential families such as the Medici — the malodorous trade was relocated. Thus began a tradition of jewelry trading on the Ponte Vecchio, which continues to this day. The jumble of shops on the outer edge of the bridge forms the retrobotteghe (back shops). The reason they are situated on the outer edge of the brige is due to building controls — extending inwards was prohibited, so shopkeepers gained extra space by developing out over the water.

Brooklyn Bridge – New York, New York

In the first 24 hours after the Brooklyn Bridge’s opening in 1883, an estimated 150,000 people walked across the East River to experience what was then the longest suspension bridge in the world. German-born civil engineer John Augustus Roebling came up with a groundbreaking design that included a 1,600- foot-span from tower to tower. But sadly, Roebling wouldn’t live to see construction begin, let alone end. 

Roebling’s son took the reins after his father’s death, but building this bridge was no easy feat. Workers risked their lives to excavate watertight underground chambers called caissons with dynamite and shovels. They backfilled these with concrete and built brick piers up to the water’s surface. Today, the Brooklyn Bridge remains a popular landmark with Big Apple visitors and locals alike — on average more than 116,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians, and 3,000 cyclists cross it every day.

Sydney Harbour Bridge – Sydney, Australia

The Sydney Harbour Bridge took eight years to construct, opening in 1932 as the world’s tallest steel arch bridge. Building this Australian icon was a huge undertaking: The project was overseen by Australian engineer John Bradfield, who also had a hand in its design. Nicknamed “the coat hanger” because of its distinctive shape, the Harbour Bridge was partly inspired by New York’s Hell Gate Bridge. It also bears a close resemblance to the Tyne Bridge in northern England. This is no coincidence — the same firm built both structures leading many locals to believe the smaller British bridge was a trial run for its larger cousin. 

Much of the steel used in the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge was shipped in pre-formed sections from England, and more than 6 million rivets hold it together. Together with the Opera House, it’s one of the city’s most recognizable sights. If you don’t have a fear for heights, one of the most thrilling ways to experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge is to harness up and climb it. 

Pont Faidherbe – Saint-Louis, Senegal

When Saint-Louis was under French colonial rule, Governor Louis Faidherbe saw the need for a bridge linking this coastal northwestern Senegalese island city to the mainland. At one point, a floating pontoon bridge was installed, but a more effective solution was needed, and the Pont Faidherbe was finished in 1897. Some sources say that Gustave Eiffel was responsible for the bridge’s design; although Eiffel’s company pitched for the job, the bridge was designed by Nouguier, Kessler et Cie. It was helmed by French civil engineer Émile Nouguier, who worked with Eiffel until 1893. 

Regardless of who oversaw its construction, Pont Faidherbe is an impressive project. The bridge itself measures 1,663 feet across, with a section that is able to pivot to facilitate the passage of ships too large to pass underneath. Today, both the city and its bridge comprise one of Senegal’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Kapellbrücke – Lucerne, Switzerland

Lucerne’s famed Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) gets its name from St. Peter’s Chapel, which stands along the Reuss River at the northern end of this historic landmark. Kapellbrücke is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and also the world’s oldest truss bridge. Its history dates back to around 1367, when it was constructed as part of the town’s defenses. 

One of the most distinctive features of the Kapellbrücke is the octagonal wasserturm (water tower), which is actually slightly older than the bridge itself. The Kapellbrücke is also well-known for its 17th-century paintings that depict scenes from the city’s past. In 1993, a devastating fire broke out on the bridge, which caused extensive damage to the structure and many of those paintings. Fortunately, the bridge (and around 30 of those 147 works of art) were restored the following year.

Meganebashi Bridge – Nagasaki, Japan

The Meganebashi Bridge, one of the oldest stone bridges in Japan, crosses the Nakashima River in Nagasaki, a port city on the island of Kyushu in southeast Japan. The original structure was built in 1634 by a Chinese monk named Mokusunyoujo; however, disaster struck just 13 years later when the bridge was washed away. Its replacement opened in 1648, but the bridge was badly damaged again by floods in 1982. This time, almost all the original stones were able to be salvaged and reused, so most of the stonework you see today is authentic. 

Visitors often comment on the bridge’s unusual shape — when the two arches reflect in the water, the bridge resembles a pair of glasses, giving it the popular name Spectacles Bridge. It’s also become a tradition to come here to make a wish for eternal love. Twenty heart shaped stones can be found in the embankment walls close to the bridge; the more of them you can see, the more likely it is that your wish will come true.

Puente Transbordador – Buenos Aires, Argentina

The full name for this bridge is the Puente Transbordador Nicolás Avellaneda, though Porteños (the nickname given to residents of Buenos Aires) usually shorten it to Puente Transbordador. Opened in 1914, the transporter bridge (a now-rare type of movable bridge that carries a segment of roadway across a river) crosses the Riachuelo River (also known as the Matanza River) and links the working class La Boca district of Buenos Aires with the port city of Avellaneda across the water.

A gondola was hung from the span to carry passengers and freight suspended over the water. The bridge stands right alongside a newer bridge, the similarly named Puente Nicolás Avellaneda, which was built in 1940 as a vertical lift bridge. After this, the original Puente Transbordador bridge became obsolete and was taken out of use. However, it was never demolished. In 1999, it was awarded National Historical Monument status, and in 2017, following significant restoration work, it was reopened to pedestrians.

Tower Bridge – London, England

London’s Tower Bridge is a late 19th-century double-leaf bascule (a bridge with a pivoting section that is raised and lowered) which crosses the Thames River at the much older Tower of London. The steel structure, clad in Cornish granite and Portland stone, was originally powered by steam and later replaced by electrified hydraulics. Vessels with a mast or superstructure greater than 30 feet tall, which wish to enter or leave the Upper Pool of London, need to pre-arrange a bridge lift. The Tower Bridge lifts its span an average of 800 times each year, and times are published online. Traffic is held while this occurs, but pedestrians can access the bridge’s glass-floored walkway above. 

Europe is a treasure trove of castles that appear straight out of a fairy tale — ones that have even inspired Walt Disney himself. From rise-from-the-ashes comeback tales to surprising histories and elaborate designs, European castles tick all the boxes for travelers interested in history, architecture, and culture. Discover six of Europe’s most famous castles and the compelling stories behind their façades.

Neuschwanstein Castle – Germany

Having famously inspired the design of Disneyland’s Cinderella castle, this German showstopper has drawn attention since even before it was finished in 1892. Neuschwanstein Castle, commissioned by King Ludwig II, was predicted to take three years to build, but it ultimately took 24 to complete construction. Workers ran into difficulties with its cliffside location, the scope of the project, and the monarch’s changing demands. Sadly, the king never saw his masterpiece completed before his death in 1886. 

To reconcile the massive debt Ludwig II accumulated during the castle’s construction, local authorities opened Neuschwanstein as a museum to recoup the losses — just seven weeks after he died. Neuschwanstein possessed advanced technology for its time — such as hot and cold water, a central air system, and telephones — but concerted efforts are required today to keep the castle in tip-top shape (and from toppling off its cliffside locale).  

Pena Palace – Portugal

Sintra has become one of Portugal’s most popular tourist destinations, thanks to a generous smattering of whimsical castles built amongst its scenic hills. With so many castles to admire, standing out in Sintra takes effort, and commanding attention with its bright yellow and red exterior and Romanticist architecture is the Pena Palace. The palace, which sits atop a 1,500-foot-high hill, the second-highest in the area, is even visible from Lisbon, located 16 miles away. 

The palace was originally a chapel constructed in the Middle Ages after a report that the Virgin Mary had appeared on the hill. The chapel was devastated in an 18th-century earthquake, and it didn’t reach its current grandeur until King Ferdinand inherited and transformed the property in 1838. Not to be outdone, the surrounding gardens — which extend for over 200 acres — host a collection of international plant species and are considered some of the most beautiful in Europe. 

Alcázar of Segovia – Spain

The storied history of this medieval castle in Segovia, Spain, is told through its eclectic architectural style, to which many monarchs have contributed. Perched atop a craggy cliff, the Alcázar of Segovia was built in the 12th century as a fortified palace for the Kingdom of Castile, but the structure has served many purposes throughout its lifetime. Not only was it used as a royal palace for centuries, but it was also a prison, House of Parliament, artillery college, military academy, film set, and today, a museum. 

Aesthetically built to look like a bow of a ship, its towers and spires are part of what inspired Walt Disney’s iconic castle logo. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Alcázar is a colorful blend of Christian and Moorish architecture featuring ornate ceilings, azulejos, and carved archways. 

Château de Chambord – France

This imposing chateau — built by King Francis I in 1519 — is the largest in Loire Valley and remains one of its most splendid architectural wonders. The castle and its connecting grounds sprawl over 33,300 acres — roughly encompassing the same area as inner Paris — and houses 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases. The double helix staircase located in the core of the structure is particularly noteworthy, designed so the king would never run into his servants on the stairs. 

Though great efforts were taken to ensure the Château de Chambord dazzled its visitors, the purpose of its construction was primarily as a hunting lodge, and not for defense like most Renaissance castles. Though King Francis I was known to show off his palace to visiting royals and ambassadors, he only used the castle as a temporary residence during hunting season, reportedly only spending a total of 72 days there. 

Windsor Castle – England

As the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world, England’s Windsor Castle has housed British royalty since the 11th century. Today, the palace serves as the official residence to the monarch and another 150 people who work there. The grandiose palace walls are built to impress, but it’s what’s on the inside that’s remarkable — 300 fireplaces, 400 historic clocks, 1,000 rooms, and an extensive art collection. Perhaps the most impressive room, however, is St. George’s Chapel, which houses the tombs of 10 British monarchs. And there’s one unexpected room that Queen Elizabeth II spent the night in during a bomb scare at Windsor: the dungeon!

Edinburgh Castle – Scotland

One of Scotland’s most famous landmarks, Edinburgh Castle sits high atop an emerald green hill and dominates the capital’s skyline. But what many visitors may not know is that the castle’s hilly perch is actually a dormant volcano, known as Castle Rock. 

With buildings dating to the 11th century, Edinburgh Castle has quite the tumultuous history, witnessing the invasion of hostile forces a whopping 23 times to make it the most-besieged castle in Europe. Despite that fact, the castle managed to keep a few things under wraps, including a hidden tower built by King David II that later served as an ideal hiding spot for the Crown Jewels of Scotland — which were forgotten about for over a century, until they were rediscovered in 1818.

Many religious monuments and places of worship around the world have one thing in common — bigger is better. From opulent European cathedrals to sprawling mosques in the Middle East and colossal gilded Buddha statues in Asia, these are 20 of the largest religious buildings in the world and the fascinating histories behind them.

Hagia Sophia – Istanbul, Turkey

Few religious buildings have lived such a fascinating history as Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia. This architectural wonder was first constructed by the Byzantines in the sixth century as a Christian church. When the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, they converted it into a mosque. In 1934 it was turned into a museum, and again a mosque in 2020.

The enormous building is arguably the finest known example of Byzantine architecture — inside are 104 columns brought from the Temple of Artemis in Greece, while outside, four minarets and a 108-foot-wide dome dominate the skyline of Istanbul’s Old City.

Dohány Street Synagogue – Budapest, Hungary

Tucked into the inner city district of the Pest side of Budapest is Europe’s largest synagogue. The Dohány Street Synagogue has a capacity of almost 3,000 worshipers and was designed by Austrian architect Ludwig Forster. The ornate building blends elements of the Moorish, Byzantine, Romantic, and Gothic styles — bright red and gold leaf geometric patterns beautify the lavish interior, as do a 5,000-pipe organ and a large rose window emblazoned with a Star of David.

Outside, twin 143-foot-tall polygonal towers topped with onion domes flank the entrance. The larger synagogue complex includes the fascinating Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives, a Jewish cemetery, and the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park.

St. Peter’s Basilica – Vatican City

The centerpiece of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest church building, after Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. Regarded as the holiest of all Roman Catholic shrines, said to be where St. Peter is buried, it can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers at one time.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1506 and continued for 120 years. It features the work of esteemed artists and architects of the Renaissance, such as Bernini, Maderno, and Michelangelo. St. Peter’s Basilica stores several extraordinary art pieces, including Michelangelo’s Pietá, which portrays Mary holding Jesus after the Crucifixion. The basilica’s 138-foot-wide dome was a model for the domes at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, and the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Ulm Minster – Ulm, Germany

Ulm Minster may seem humble when compared with the other biggest church buildings in the world, but it holds one distinct honor: the world’s tallest steeple. The 528-foot-structure soars above the main entrance of the Gothic landmark and dominates the skyline of Ulm, a city in southern Germany. A 768-step staircase leads up through the steeple to a viewing platform, where visitors can see over the city’s medieval city rooftops, the Danube River, and the Alps in the distance.

Like many of Europe’s emblematic churches and cathedrals, Ulm Minster took several centuries — in this case, five — to complete. Work started in 1377 and was eventually finished in 1890. Incredibly, the church escaped undamaged during a World War II air raid.

Belz Great Synagogue – Jerusalem, Israel

Inaugurated in 2000 after 15 years of construction, the Belz Great Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Israel — or anywhere in the world. The grandiose central sanctuary can hold more than 6,000 worshippers. The massive scale of the synagogue was deliberate, built to replicate a synagogue located in the Ukrainian town of Belz that was destroyed during World War II.

Some say that the temple also bears resemblance to one built thousands of years ago by Herod the Great on Temple Mount, the holiest site in Judaism. The sanctuary of Belz Great Synagogue dazzles with nine chandeliers, each made with 200,000 pieces of Czech crystal, and features a wooden ark capable of holding up to 70 Torah scrolls.

Spring Temple Buddha – Lushan County, China

An imposing yet solemn figure against a backdrop of forest-clad hills in China’s Henan province, the 420-foot-tall Spring Temple Buddha is the world’s tallest religious statue. When the statue was built in 2008, after 11 years of construction, it was the world’s tallest statue overall, but India’s Statue of Unity overtook it in 2018.

The golden Spring Temple Buddha portrays Vairocana, the celestial Buddha, standing on a lotus flower throne. Below the main structure are two pedestals, which extend the landmark’s total height to 682 feet. Leading to the Buddha’s feet are two staircases, each divided into 12 flights of 365 steps to represent the months and days of the year.

Hassan II Mosque – Casablanca, Morocco

The most prominent landmark on Casablanca’s waterfront is the ornate Hassan II Mosque, completed in 1993. With capacity for more than 100,000 worshippers, it is the second-largest mosque in Africa. But perhaps more impressively, its 689-foot minaret is the one of the tallest on the planet, towering almost like a lighthouse over the Atlantic Ocean.

The impetus for construction of the mosque came from King Hassan II, who was concerned by Casablanca’s lack of historical monuments and desired a proper burial place for his predecessor on the throne, King Mohammed V, who died in 1961. The king employed thousands of artists and craftspeople to etch intricate designs on cedar wood and granite imported from all over Morocco. The seafront location is a reference to a verse in the Quran that says that Allah’s throne is above the water.

Milan Cathedral – Milan, Italy

Adorned with a collection of 135 spires, one of which stands a staggering 357 feet tall, Milan Cathedral (Duomo di Milano) is one of the world’s finest examples of Gothic architecture. The largest church in Italy and second-largest in Europe, it took more than 70 architects almost 600 years to erect this enduring landmark.

Construction began in 1386, using pink-hued marble extracted from quarries in nearby Candoglia and transported to the city via a network of purpose-built canals. The exterior of Milan Cathedral boasts a collection of 3,400 statues. Perched atop the tallest spire is the famous gold statue of Mary called the Madonnina.

Faisal Mosque – Islamabad, Pakistan

Despite being located in Pakistan’s capital city and considered the country’s national mosque, the Faisal Mosque was named after the late King Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, who funded the project. Constructed in 1976, the main hall, courtyard, and porticoes of the mosque can host around 300,000 worshippers.

While the size of this Muslim landmark is indeed notable, what’s even more striking is the modern, almost alien-like exterior design devoid of the traditional mosque dome. Instead, it resembles an inverted Bedouin tent and is flanked on all four corners by 260-foot-tall minarets. There’s even an urban myth that the CIA wanted to inspect the minarets because they believed them to be missiles.

Prophet’s Mosque – Medina, Saudi Arabia

The Prophet’s Mosque (also known as Al-Masjid al-Nabawi) holds immense religious and historical value for Muslims. According to Islamic scripture, the Prophet Muhammad himself built the mosque in 622 CE. Today’s building is a two-tiered rectangular structure that houses both the tomb of the prophet and an area on which his humble family home once stood. Decorating the flat roof of the mosque are 24 raised domes, which can be moved to create an additional prayer area during peak times. An estimated 1 million Muslim devotees visit the mosque for the annual pilgrimage.

Seville Cathedral – Seville, Spain

Covering a whopping 124,000 square feet, Seville Cathedral is a Gothic-style cathedral that stands on the site of a former mosque. Upon its completion in 1506, it overtook Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia as the world’s largest cathedral; today it is the third-largest cathedral in Europe. City leaders ordered the building of the cathedral (officially named Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) to showcase the wealth of Seville that emerged after the Reconquista years and the expansion of Christianity throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

The cathedral features the impressive 343-foot-tall Giralda bell tower and a 66-foot-high altar piece, which is decorated with 45 wood panels that depict the life of Jesus and Mary. Seville Cathedral is also the final resting place of explorer Christopher Columbus.

Karnak Temples – Luxor, Egypt

Construction of the Karnak Temples began some 4,000 years ago, when Thebes, a city on the east bank of the Nile River where modern-day Luxor is located, was chosen as the site of the new Egyptian capital. Occupying more than 200 acres, the temples showcase the achievements of great Egyptian architects and rulers, such as Intef II, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III.

One of the most impressive areas of the temples is the Great Hypostyle Hall, which has 134 columns, each 72 feet tall and carved with hieroglyphics. You may even recognize the hall from the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me.

Great Mosque of Mecca – Mecca, Saudi Arabia

A visit to the Great Mosque of Mecca (aka Masjid Al-Haram) is also a rite of passage for many Muslims. A cube-shaped building at its center, the Kaaba, is the holiest shrine in Islam — on any given day, droves of worshippers come to visit it. Other significant areas of the Great Mosque are the sacred Zamzan Well, from which pilgrims drink holy water, and the Station of Abraham, a small square stone associated with the building of the Kaaba.

First recorded as a Muslim structure in 638 CE, the mosque has undergone several major renovations since the 1500s that were commissioned by caliphs, sultans, and Saudi rulers. At present, it is undergoing an expansion that will increase the capacity to over 2 million worshippers.

Cristo de la Concordia – Cochabamba, Bolivia

The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, might be the more famous monument to Jesus, but neighboring Bolivia boasts one that is even bigger. Cristo de la Concordia lords 869 feet over the town of Cochabamba, and the statue itself is a symbolic 108 feet tall, which equates to 33 meters — one for every year of Jesus’s life. What gives Bolivia’s statue the edge over Rio’s revered Redeemer is an extra 1.5 feet of stylishly quaffed hair. Built between 1987 and 1994, Cristo de la Concordia is a popular tourist attraction accessible via cable car or a 1,250-step staircase.

Guanyin of Nanshan – Hainan, China

The celestial Guanyin of Nanshan statue rises 354 above a small island in the South China Sea, just off the coast of Sanya in the island province of Hainan. Accessible via a causeway, the whitewashed three-faceted statue depicts the Buddhist bodhisattva Guanyin, and each of the statue’s faces has an individual pose.

The Guanyin facing inland holds a sutra (Buddhist scripture) and makes the vitarka sign with her right hand, which symbolizes teaching, growth, and awakening. Two other deities face the sea, one holding prayer beads and another other with a lotus flower. The statue forms part of the Nanshan Temple, a complex home to replica temples from the Tang dynasty.

Jetavanaramaya – Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Jetavanaramaya is an ancient Buddhist stupa (a dome-shaped shrine for meditation) located within the ruins of the Jetavana monastery. When erected at the beginning of the fourth century, the 400-foot-tall stupa was among the world’s tallest structures — only two of the Pyramids of Giza were taller.

It’s no longer the tallest stupa, but with a base area covering more than 2.5 million square feet, it is the largest when measured by volume. An estimated 93 million bricks were used to build Jetavanaramaya, and the foundations are embedded 28 feet into the ground. The stupa belongs to one of the Buddhism world’s most significant shrines and can house an estimated 10,000 monks.

Kesaria Stupa – Bihar, India

Located amidst tranquil surroundings in northeastern India and partly overgrown by vegetation, this multitiered Buddhist monument is also one of the largest stupas in the world, rising 104 feet tall with a circumference of approximately 400 feet. The original structure dates back to the third century BCE, although what is seen today was likely built between 200 and 750 CE.

Kesaria Stupa is closely associated with the final days of Buddha, who had announced his attainment of nirvana upon departing from Vaishali for Kesaria. The Licchavi clan followed Buddha to the town and erected the stupa in his memory. Excavations in 1998 uncovered arrowheads, Islamic coins, and ruined idols, among other artifacts.

Sri Ranganathaswamy – Tamil Nadu, India

Sri Ranganathaswamy is the largest Hindu temple in India, covering 156 acres in Tiruchirappalli, a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha and is considered the holiest of the 108 Divya Desams (Vishnu temples) mentioned in an ancient collection of Tamil verses.

The architecture is classic Dravidian, which is a colorful style that originated in South India. The sprawling complex also features 21 ornamental gopurams (tower gateways), the tallest of which is 240 feet. Each December, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims attend the 21-day Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at the site.

Borobudur Temple – Magelang, Indonesia

Set on a majestic hill and surrounded by lush jungle is Borobudur Temple, which lays claim to being the largest Buddhist temple ever built. This UNESCO World Heritage Site took 75 years to construct and was unveiled in 825 CE. It has a surface area of approximately 26,000 square feet and is designed in three tiers: a pyramidal base, a core of three circular platforms, and a crowning stupa.

Other notable aspects are a collection of 72 smaller stupas and over 2,500 bas reliefs. Borobudur was abandoned and overgrown with jungle sometime between the 10th and 15th centuries, but it was rediscovered in the 19th century by Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British ruler of Java at the time, and restored in the 1970s.

Angkor Wat Temple – Siem Reap, Cambodia

Sprawling across a vast area of over 400 acres in northern Cambodia, the Angkor Wat temple complex is the world’s largest religious structure. Erected by the Khmer Empire in the 12th century, this awe-inspiring monument began as a Hindu temple and was later converted into a Buddhist place of worship.

The temple design is an architectural portrayal of Mount Meru, which is the center of the Hindu universe. The five towers represent the five peaks of the mountain, and the surrounding moat and defensive wall symbolize the oceans and mountain ranges. How colossal is Angkor Wat? It’s so large that many of its features are visible from space.