\n Related
\n <\/b>\n<\/div>\n
- \n
- \n Europe\u2019s former railway stations have become the darling of the luxury hotel scene\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n These massive stone constructions were aesthetically pleasing, yet they ultimately made room for steel bridges featuring truss systems.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, avoid the error of thinking that metal bridges cannot also be artistic masterpieces.\n<\/p>\n
\n “Steel enabled the creation of longer spans,” notes Professor Prendergast.\n<\/p>\n
\n The most recent bridges are typically constructed using reinforced concrete and various composite materials, yet each of these designs can still be quite visually appealing. It ultimately boils down to individual preference when it comes to determining which looks better: the traditional stonework or the modern approach!\n<\/p>\n
\n Avoid looking down: Where are the planet’s tallest railway bridges located?
\n<\/h2>\n\n Although the latest skyscrapers tend to be the tallest, this rule does not hold true for railway bridges.
\n
\n Montenegro\u2019s
\n <\/strong>
\n The Mala Rijeka Viaduct was crowned as the globe’s tallest railway bridge upon its inauguration in 1973.\n<\/p>\n\n The title has since been claimed by a more recent bridge in Guizhou.
\n
\n China
\n <\/strong>
\n .\n<\/p>\n\n However, the statistics of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct remain remarkable \u2014 at its tallest point, the 499-meter-long bridge soars 200 meters above the river beneath it. As expected for such an enormous construction, substantial reinforcement is necessary; thus, the biggest pier stands upon a foundation as large as a tennis court.\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac6Wm.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n Southern France\u2019s
\n <\/strong>
\n The Viaur Viaduct may not match the height of the Mala Rijeka Viaduct, yet it remains equally remarkable. This elegant steel construction dates back to 1902.\n<\/p>\n\n Renowned for its stylish design and majestic arches, this structure boasts a maximum span of 220 meters. Architect Paul Bodin crafted its refined appearance using an innovative method called balanced arches, reducing the amount of metal needed and relying instead on a counterweight system to ensure stability without additional material.\n<\/p>\n
\n At its tallest point, towering 116 meters over the Viaur River Valley, this bridge stands as a testament to dedication, constructed from an impressive 3,800 tons of metal and secured with 160 tons of steel rivets, each needing manual tightening.\n<\/p>\n
\n Wonders of stonework in France and England
\n<\/h2>\n\n No bridges can surpass the beauty of the Chamborigaud Viaduct\u2014a stunning structure consisting of 29 arches spanning 384 meters, constructed in the late 1800s by architect Charles Dombre for the Paris-Lyon-Mediterranean Railway Company.\n<\/p>\n
\n A brick bridge that was constructed
\n
\n C\u00e9vennes region
\n <\/strong>
\n \u2014 featuring its deep valleys and towering hills \u2014 making it far more accessible, the viaduct was designated a historic monument by the French government in 1984.\n<\/p>\n\n Another impressive structure from the realm of masonry is the Whalley Viaduct located in northern England, constructed to support the railway.
\n
\n Blackburn
\n <\/strong>
\n The railway line to Clitheroe crossing the River Calder Valley. Opened in 1850, it was constructed using six million bricks and features 48 arches.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac9fA.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n This impressive edifice has frequently been likened to a cathedral or monastery, suggesting that such an association may have been deliberate. Located near Whalley Abbey\u2014a site established in the 13th century\u2014the viaduct reflects inspiration from the architectural style of the nearby abbey. Its designer, Terence Woulfe Flanagan, drew upon elements reminiscent of ecclesiastical structures for his creation.\n<\/p>\n
\n Another impressive example of stonework is the Ouse Valley Viaduct.
\n
\n Sussex
\n <\/strong>
\n In England, when this structure was built during the 1840s, it stood out for being quite advanced for its era. This particular railroad viaduct, which spans with 37 arches, utilizes what are called jack arches in architecture to minimize the use of brick material.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac6Wv.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n The slender design of this bridge is regarded as one of England\u2019s most graceful railway structures and is renowned for its changing colors, thanks to its rust-red bricks (exactly 11 million) and cream-colored limestone, which were locally sourced.
\n
\n Normandy
\n <\/strong>
\n .\n<\/p>\n\n Construct it and visitors will flock: Renowned spans transform into travel destinations
\n<\/h2>\n\n Several of Europe’s most stunning bridges have become attractions in their own regard. A prime example is one such bridge.
\n
\n Scotland\u2019s
\n <\/strong>
\n The Glenfinnan Viaduct, which played a prominent part in the
\n
\n Harry Potter movies
\n <\/strong>
\n .\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac9fH.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Professor Vasilis Sarhosis, who specializes in masonry bridges within the civil engineering department at the University of Leeds, greatly admires this structure and emphasizes that its appeal extends beyond its graceful design.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201c
\n
\n Glenfinnan Viaduct
\n <\/strong>
\n “The bridge was built over a century ago and remains one of the biggest in Scotland,” explains Professor Sarhosis.\n<\/p>\n\n It was built with mass concrete \u2014 this indicates that it contains no steel reinforcement, contrasting with many contemporary railway bridges.\n<\/p>\n
\n\n
\n Related
\n <\/b>\n<\/div>\n- \n
- \n Navigating the Baltics via train has become more convenient with a fresh railway line connecting the capitals of these nations.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n The Victoria era boasted many impressive engineering accomplishments, among them this remarkable 21-arch viaduct featured on some Scottish currency notes. Stretching an impressive 380 meters long, the finest vistas can be enjoyed at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. This location serves as the beginning of several walking trails adorned with viewing stations designed for visitors eager to appreciate this extraordinary feat of architecture.\n<\/p>\n
\n Scotland\u2019s aforementioned UNESCO-listed
\n
\n Forth Rail Bridge
\n <\/strong>
\n Another remarkable site, situated on the periphery of Edinburgh, has made appearances in classic British films like “The 39 Steps” and “Carry On Regardless,” as well as in a recent episode of “The Simpson”s.\n<\/p>\n\n Introduced in 1890, this cantilever-truss bridge was constructed using 54,000 tons of steel and is renowned for its distinctive rust-red color. Currently, its shade is due to a specially formulated red paint designed to mimic the initial reddish-brown patina of the bridge upon its inauguration.\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac9fJ.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Another attraction for railway bridge enthusiasts is Switzerland’s Landwasser Viaduct, a prominent feature along the UNESCO-listed Albula Mountain Railway. Built in the early 1900s, this iconic structure was constructed without scaffolding. The engineers appreciated the straightforward material handling since the viaduct was made using limestone quarried directly from the mountain.
\n
\n Dolomite Mountains
\n <\/strong>
\n through which the
\n
\n railway
\n <\/strong>
\n passes.\n<\/p>\n\n Compared to the other railway bridges featured here, this one is quite compact\u2014it has six arches and spans only 142 meters. What sets it apart is its sharp curvature and how one end seemingly vanishes into a mountainside, making it particularly challenging to traverse before the bridge was built.\n<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1AbZLU.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Similarly impressive is the Sittertal Valley\u2019s Sitter Viaduct, constructed in 1910 and standing as the tallest standard-gauge bridge.
\n
\n railway bridge
\n <\/strong>
\n In Switzerland, this structure gained recognition for its distinctive fish-belly central truss design\u2014an un-supported midsection supported solely by curved girders underneath. This groundbreaking approach showcased novel building methods and earned global acclaim as a remarkable feat of engineering.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac6WG.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Further proof that
\n
\n bridges can be attractions
\n <\/strong>
\n on its own merits stands the Lu\u00eds I Bridge in
\n
\n Porto
\n <\/strong>
\n , Portugal. This is one of the world’s most intricately decorated railway bridges, featuring stone carvings embellished with Portugal’s coat of arms. After dark, lights on the upper level cast a warm golden glow over the structure.\n<\/p>\n\n\n
\n Related
\n <\/b>\n<\/div>\n- \n
- \n This historic amphitheatre close to Rome seems unsure whether it should be used as a football field or a tourist spot.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\n The mastermind behind the iconic Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel, nearly took on the role of designing it himself. However, his proposals were ultimately turned down, and the task was handed over to German engineer Th\u00e9ophile Seyrig instead.\n<\/p>\n
\n A groundbreaking link to a pedestrian-only skiing destination
\n<\/h2>\n\n Finally, a look ahead, more specifically, at one of the world\u2019s most innovative railway bridges.\n<\/p>\n
\n You\u2019ll find the
\n
\n Swiss Alps\u2019
\n <\/strong>
\n The Stoos funicular railway bridge links Schwyz to the car-free ski destination of Stoos. This transportation system holds the title for being the steepest funicular globally.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n![](\"https:\/\/img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net\/tenant\/amp\/entityid\/AA1Ac4A1.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Riders aboard this mountain train\u2014where the carriages look like elegant glass spheres\u2014are transported through three tunnels and over two bridges. Among these, the standout structure is the one arching across the Muota River. Although it might not appeal to those who prefer classic designs, it remains an essential part of our celebration of the planet\u2019s most stunning railway bridges.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There\u2019s something about magnificent railway bridges that we just can\u2019t resist. It\u2019s hard to beat the experience of traveling over deep valleys and rivers while taking in the breathtaking scenery beneath us. And they’re not just engineering accomplishments anymore; they’ve become landmarks that highlight destinations and serve as visual testimonials to the progression of civil […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[661,662,326,298,280],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-infrastructure","category-railroads","category-railway-systems","category-technology","category-tourist-attractions"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/AA1Ac9ft-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1483"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1483\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sanggraloka.com\/id\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- \n This historic amphitheatre close to Rome seems unsure whether it should be used as a football field or a tourist spot.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
- \n Navigating the Baltics via train has become more convenient with a fresh railway line connecting the capitals of these nations.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n