I really love its design which i think is unique and eye-catching. As the crowd shifted from one side of the bridge to the other to watch the clown pass under it, the cables of the suspension bridge snapped. 3. Unfortunately, the wooden bridge collapsed twice and finally it was turned into a stone bridge. Others believe the collapse might have occurred because English troops rigged it to prevent a Scottish victory. The first bridge at that location, known as Ponte della Moneta, was a wooden pontoon bridge designed in 1178 by Nicolò Barattieri. Aging infrastructure issues and a missed inspection were also cited as concerns. The Rialto … In 1444, a crowd was watching a boat parade from the bridge during the wedding of marquis Ferrara and it collapsed under their weight. there are many bridges in my country which some of them are famous. Rialto Bridge was built of stone in 1591, but it actually replaced a previous structure that was made of time. In 1444, it collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade and it collapsed again in 1524. During the revolt led by Bajamonte Tiepolo in 1310 the bridge was damaged by fire and it collapsed first time in 1444 under the weight of crowd that gathered to watch boat parade in celebration of wedding of the marquis Ferrara. Lessons learned: This tragedy got people thinking about bridge maintenance, upkeep, and replacement issues (a problem that continues today). there are two bridges I know which are very famous and interesting. 43 people died and many people lost their homes. The government spent millions on that bridge which promised to resolve transport problems connecting one important city with the capital. More than just see personally the bridge, I could understand a little bit more about its history. The Rialto Bridge, Italy The Rialto Bridge is one of the most beautiful and best-known of Venice, spanning the shortest stretch of the Grand Canal. It is at the heart of the city of Venice and is considered an authentic dignity and ecstasy of the city. I am not sure but I guess the bridge is the link between manhattan and Brooklyn. Rialto Bridge. I have heard about the golden gate but I don't know it in person. Lessons learned: This unfortunate incident taught engineers the importance of considering load balance when building suspension bridges, which were becoming popular at the time. It was destroyed by fire in 1310 and then rebuilt, only to collapse again in 1444 under the weight of hundreds of spectators watching a boat parade. Modern technologies that can detect structural weakness, safer working environments and better designs can all help to reduce these terrible accidents. ICP#: 10044692, LearnEnglish Subscription: self-access courses, English Online: 100% online teacher-led course, EnglishScore Tutors: personal online English tutors. Some of the biggest and most expensive transportation projects in the world have involved building bridges. When you actually see the bridge, it always looks a lot bigger than photos would lead you to believe. Over time, the sides of the bridge were built up with small shops. Unfortunately, because of the excessive weight, the bridge collapsed several times. Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) is ranked #3 out of 16 things to do in Venice. Lessons learned: The collapse of this bridge taught German bridge-builders a valuable lesson. Three bridges collapsed in the same spot before the Rialto Bridge was built. Also, the "Tolerance bridge" in the UAE. Whenever I visit New York I always push my time to see it. Bridge Masters takes your privacy seriously and will never sell or share your information. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland). Wind could not pass through these more rigid girders, which caused the bridge to sway, heave, and eventually collapse. The Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591 after three years of construction. Hopple Street Overpass over I-75 Southbound: Cincinnati, Ohio Then read the text and do the exercises. Rialto Bridge was built of stone in 1591, but it actually replaced a previous structure that was made of time. The villages on either side disagreed about which one should pay for repairs. Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. It was the first bridge of Venice and the only one still in the 19th century, until the Ponte dell’Accademia was built in 1854. The original structure was built in 1255 and had survived being burnt during a revolt and a collapse under the weight of a crowd on it. Hopefully, when they find the cause, it will prevent another similar modern bridge disaster. Historically, more bridges were made of wood and were much more susceptible to fire. Originally built in 1181, for easy access to the Rialto Market on the eastern side. Close to one million locks - weighing 45 tonnes - are due to be cut off over the next few days. Rialto Bridge, Venice, Venetian Republic. What happened: About 20 people were injured after two cranes working on a bridge restoration project fell on five nearby houses and shops, causing significant damage. talking about the bridges collapse, I remember here in Colombia in 2018 when the Chirajara bridge fell in the middle of its construction killing the workers due a bad design. ... Rialto Bridge in Venice or all those beautiful bridges in Paris. Have you ever visited them? After several wooden bridges in the medieval ages collapsed, Anthony da Ponte took three years to leave behind this beautiful architectural marvel. This structure boosted the importance of that part of the city, enabling the formation of larger markets and gathering of trade both near and on the bridge itself. But today I would like to tell you about, probably, the most famous bridge in my city - Paton Bridge. In the 1450 the wooden bridge was rebuilt but the high costs due to continuous maintenance and … What happened: Nine construction workers were killed and 55 others injured when the partially completed south span of the bridge came down with no notice. Later bridges no longer used this design. Soaring over the Grand Canal, and connecting San Polo and San Marco, the Rialto Bridge is Venice’s pride and joy. The reasons of the collapse still aren't verified. More than 50 people drowned or froze to death. Soaring over the Grand Canal, and connecting San Polo and San Marco, the Rialto Bridge is Venice’s pride and joy. It was replaced twice in 1264 and 1310 by wood structures, and it collapsed twice, in 1444, during a festivity, under the weight of the crowd, and in 1521. This wooden bridge was destroyed and rebuilt several times: it burned down during an unsuccessful coup in 1310, and in 1444 collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade during a wedding. Six months after the incident, the reason for the bolt failure remains unknown, although some point to a wind-related issue. A mail and passenger train was crossing over it at the time of the collapse. This bridge is one of the most famous of the world. It is more impressive, more beautiful too. danisep replied on 7 December, 2020 - 23:36 Colombia. Here are a few large-scale bridge disasters, along with the lessons learned from each and how they improved the next generation of bridges. This started a fire that melted the bridge superstructure, which caused southbound lanes of a major intercity highway to collapse. Lessons learned: The steel used to build the bridge was too brittle to withstand the extremely low temperatures experienced the night of the bridge failure. No matter the cause, most resulted in significant loss of life, devastating injury, and serious economic consequences, including lost utility service and traffic to local businesses. In 1310, there was an unsuccessful revolt to overthrow the Venetian council which was led by Bajamonte Tiepolo. The structure was rebuilt up-river with an iron bridge. The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto) is a bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. A city built on the water, Venice has waterways instead of highways, and none has been more important to the city than the Grand Canal. It was designed and constructed by our well-known engineer Evgeny Paton in 1953. Lessons learned: Investigators found that extreme rainfall in the area caused the culvert beneath the embankment to become blocked. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a30258bcae152362a8ceaa403ac874fe" );document.getElementById("f4d578dc7e").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Leave this field empty to prove you are human. The Ponte Vecchio is the symbol of the romanticism that floods all of Florence, its image is the best known and most representative of the city, a true emblem of it. Today, a single lane of the bridge has been reopened. Several bridges occupied this same crossing prior to the construction of the Rialto Bridge which officially opened to the public in 1591. Understanding bridge collapses can lead to major changes in the design, construction and safety of future building projects. The Rialto Bridge (Italian: Ponte di Rialto; Venetian: Ponte de Rialto) is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy.Connecting the sestieri (districts) of San Marco and San Polo, it has been rebuilt several times since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in 1173, and is now a significant tourist attraction in the city. The first wooden structure was created in the middle of the 12th century. A general view of Rialto Bridge after one of the columns collapsed, on April 13, 2011 in Venice, Italy. When Bridges Go Bad: The Impact of Neglected Infrastructure, U.S. Infrastructure in 2018: What May Be on the Horizon. cittàutopica replied on 17 November, 2020 - 12:18 Italy. Read a civil engineering article about why bridges fall to practise and improve your reading skills. The Battle of Stirling Bridge took place during the First War of Scottish Independence. This fast recovery process was highly innovative at the time and is often employed today. Jammed with spectators watching a boat parade celebrating the wedding of the Marquess of Ferrara, the bridge collapsed, sending all those hundreds of people into the canal. I think the most famous bridge that I know is Tower bridge, located in London. Rialto Bridge or The Lover's Bridge is the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. … What happened: An automobile hit a fuel truck carrying 8,000 gallons of heating oil. The dividing line for the the sestieri (districts) of San Marco and San Polo, it is renowned as an architectural and engineering achievement of the Renaissance. The remains of the bridge were subsequently demolished and a replacement built elsewhere. Lessons learned: The cranes were working from barges in a canal. Several bridges occupied this same crossing prior to the construction of the Rialto Bridge which officially opened to the public in 1591. It tragically collapsed when it was overloaded by revelers at a wedding celebration in 1444. https://learnodo-newtonic.com/rialto-bridge-interesting-facts Bridge collapses can be tragic events, leading to loss of life and serious property damage. In 1444, it collapsed under the weight of the great crowd that was there in order to see the passage of the marquis of Ferrara. The bridge was originally made of timber. It is the most interesting spot tourists visited. The present Ponte di Rialto was built in stone between 1588 and 1591 by Antonio da Ponte to substitute a wooden bridge which had collapsed in two occasions and had been partially burnt down in 1310. Rialto Bridge is the oldest and one of the most famous Venetian bridges. It's obviously not the most beautiful bridge in the world and not the longest as well but it's world's first all-welded bridge, and we very proud about that fact. Several projects were considered over the following decades. Additional weight on the bridge at the time made a too-thin gusset plate rip along a line of rivets. What happened: At the time of its construction (and destruction) in 1940, this bridge was the third longest suspension bridge in the world. What happened: The Night Express train from Chicago to Toledo was crossing the bridge when the embankment collapsed, plunging the entire train into the water, drowning more than 40 persons. It was replaced again in 1310, and unfortunately it collapsed as well, during the wedding of marquis Ferrara. This is a good lesson on why it’s important to use the latest equipment when building, renovating, and constructing bridges. There are lots of bridges which deserve attention, Golden Bridge in San Francisco, Rialto Bridge in Venice or all those beautiful bridges in Paris. To built this bridge the Republic of Venice spent 250,000 ducats. This wooden bridge was destroyed and rebuilt several times: it burned down during an unsuccessful coup by rebels in 1310, and 1444 collapsed under the weight of a crowd watching a boat parade during a wedding. This process continues today. Success in the bridge industry depends on the quality of your tools. There have been many serious bridge disasters throughout history, most caused by things like extreme weather, fires, and collisions. Lessons learned: The cause of this devastating bridge collapse was human error, pointing out the importance of proper worker training. Rialto Bridge The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, and without question it's one of the most iconic sights in Venice.There has been a bridge at this site since the 12th century, connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo, and until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854, the Ponte di Rialto was the only way to cross the canal on foot. Before construction of the bridge itself could begin, hundred of logs were hammered into the ground to create a stable surface to hold the bridge. It was destroyed by fire in 1310 and then rebuilt, only to collapse again in 1444 under the weight of hundreds of spectators watching a boat parade. Everybody was shocked how an important and huge structure just fell down in two seconds and how a bad administration and corruption don’t care to put people 's lives at risk. Lessons learned: It’s long been known that truss bridges like this one require both the top and the bottom to remain equal in strength and solidity. Your email address will not be published. The most famous bridge that I know is the Brooklyn Bridge, I’ve never visited it but I’d like to in the future. Legend has it that English and Scottish forces overloaded the bridge, causing it to collapse. Since its first construction as a pontoon bridge in the 12th century, it has been rebuilt several times and once it was the only bridge across the Grand Canal, marking the spot of the island's first settlement, called Rivus Altus, means high bank. It's a beautiful bridge. In some cases, this could happen because inferior-quality material was used in the construction, or because of a defect in a key piece of the bridge. A commission of supervisors was appointed to validate the proposals. Even though it was stronger, that bridge collapsed during a massive earthquake in 1923. What happened: A large number of people gathered on the bridge to see a celebrity of the time, Nelson the Clown, pulled downriver in a barrel drawn by four geese. Close to one million locks - weighing 45 tonnes - are due to be cut off over the next few days. Rialto Bridge appears thousands of paintings, most famously the Miracle of the Relic of the Cross at the Ponte di Rialto … The Rialto Bridge was built across the narrowest part of the Grand Canal and connects San Marco and San Polo districts. Built in the closing years of the 16th century, the Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge across the canal and is renowned as an architectural … Natural Gas Pipelines in 2018: Can They Impact Bridge Managers? The repaired bridge came down again in 1524. With boats, it's the very large mass they have that can bring about the collapse, even if they are moving very slowly when it occurs. VENICE, ITALY - JANUARY 06: Two of the participants sail under Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal ahead of the 34th Befana Regatta on January 6, 2012 in Venice, Italy. Bimble replied on 5 November, 2020 - 23:02 Andorra. Others have come about due to highly unexpected things, like a medieval battle, singing, and a celebrity clown. Fast bridge construction techniques were employed to build a brand new bridge in approximately six months. Rialto Bridge is the oldest also because a first floating bridge was built back in the XII century. It broke apart and collapsed as the train was crossing. It came down only four months after opening. Michelangelo. Image from Wikipedia, “I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapse,” unaltered and used with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. This devastating accident got officials to focus on proper construction practices on bridge construction sites, including using safe equipment. The Rialto Bridge is one of the most visited sites in all of Venice and thanks to its location near public transit stops makes it necessary to move between San Marco and San Polo for many visitors. The Rialto Bridge took three years to construct, 1588-1591, and was created by Antonio da Ponte. The construction of the present Rialto Bridge took three years because of unstable conditions. Download thousands of free icons of architecture and city in SVG, PSD, PNG, EPS format or as ICON FONT On the lef That means 10 times the price that … Rialto Bridge. Good Read! It was … The Rialto Bridge, connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo, is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Great Canal in Venice. In Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the feast of the Epiphany on January 6 in a similar way to Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. I've seen some of them. The current Rialto Bridge was originally opened in 1591. Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. Do the preparation task first. To consolidate the balustrades of the bridge parapets, it was recommended to inject them with Mape-Antique. Kutai Kartanegara Bridge, Borneo, Indonesia, I-5 Skagit River Bridge, Mount Vernon, Washington. What happened: This chain-stayed bridge collapsed because of vibrations caused by a group of singers performing to honor a duke. Tip: The utility systems carried by bridges can be impacted by extreme heat or cold. they are: " Pole Kabli" means "Cable bridge" in Tabriz, the bridge on the Orumieh lake in the Orumieh, "Siose Pole" means "Thirty-three bridges" in the Isfahan, "Pole Moallag" means "Suspended bridge" in Ardabil, and etc. This tragedy got builders thinking more broadly about factors that could lead to a bridge failure. Less than a year later, a train fell through the collapsed bridge, killing five and injuring nine others. Rialto Bridge, stone-arch bridge crossing over the narrowest point of the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice. In the end, on June 9th 1588, Antonio Da Ponte’s project was … This tragedy served as a warning at the time that temporary bridges had to be replaced quickly with permanent ones. A section collapsed, causing approximately 1,400 people to drown in the river below. The lack of clarity on the number of deaths is because the rushing water and quicksand at the site made it impossible to recover the train cars and their contents. This is a great example of constant learning and improvement on a single bridge site. What happened: An oversized semi-truck carrying drilling equipment clipped a top steel girder, causing this polygonal Warren through truss bridge to collapse. javi8 replied on 3 December, 2020 - 15:04 Spain. More than 20 people were killed, 40 injured, and 19 reported missing. I've been to this bridge cuz I live near to it. But today I would like to tell you about, probably, the most famous bridge in my city - Paton Bridge. At first it was a pontoon bridge, but the growing traffic to the Rialto … What happened: This wooden bridge was built in 1698. Lessons learned: The west side of bridge separated from the abutment causing a very large crack. The first dry crossing of the Grand Canal was a pontoon bridge built in 1181 by Nicolò Barattieri. Unfortunately, the Rialto Bridge collapsed once again in 1524 and the Venetians appointed five designers including Michelangelo to build a stone replacement. This made water build up behind the embankment. The huge, single-span structure is decorated with historic arcades. It collapsed again in 1524 for the final time. Later, the bridge was strengthened and widened by adding two lateral ramps that could be raised to allow boats to pass through and, from then on, it became known as Rialto Bridge, after the area in which it was built, Rivoalto. The best way for them to prevent these accidents is to understand why bridges collapse in the first place. What are some of the most famous bridges you know? For many years, the overpass was the most important financial centre in Venice. It was a good lesson for engineers on why it’s important to pay special attention to temperature issues in hot or cold climates. The design of the stone bridge is similar to its predecessors with two inclined ramps that are connected by an arch in the middle. Rialto Bridge The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal, and without question it's one of the most iconic sights in Venice.There has been a bridge at this site since the 12th century, connecting the districts of San Marco and San Polo, and until the Accademia Bridge was built in 1854, the Ponte di Rialto was the only way to cross the canal on … I have heard about the golden gate but I don't know it in person. The load became imbalanced and the cranes fell. The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval bridge over the Arno River, it's the oldest and most famous of the six bridges in the city. When the truck hit the top girder, it caused the pressure/squeeze system to fail and the bridge to fold up. The history of Rialto Bridge witnessed many collapses Due to the revolt of Bajamonte Tiepolo the fire damaged the wooden bridge in 1310. 8 Must-Have Tools for Bridge Industry Professionals, What We Can Learn from History’s Biggest Bridge Disasters. LearnEnglish Subscription: self-access courses for professionals, Ehsan replied on 17 January, 2021 - 07:40 United Kingdom. See pictures and our review of Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto). This caused the death of three people. Earthquakes damage all structures, including bridges. The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges to cross the Grand Canal of Venice. It found that the girder design was flawed and the wrought iron used for support was not strong enough to handle train loads. Rialto Bridge: The Oldest Bridge on Venice’s Grand Canal If you’re planning your Venice day trip, there are a few landmarks you definitely won’t want to miss.One of them is the majestic ‘Ponte di Rialto’ or Rialto Bridge, famously immortalised by artists such as Canaletto and even mentioned by Shakespeare, whose Shylock asks, “What news on the Rialto?” in The Merchant of Venice. The Kolkata flyover collapse (while under construction) on Mar. In its place was put Japan’s first earthquake-proof structure, which survives today. Engineers have learned to design bridges in earthquake zones on areas that are much more resistant to movement. The repaired bridge came down again in 1524. The engineer who helped build the bridge that collapsed in Genoa, killing at least 30 people, claims the collapse was caused by a major flaw in the supporting piles, meaning the … It is also the most famous in Venice thanks to its peculiar history and design. Situated on the Grand Canal it takes your breath away on first sight and still, after so many years, I feel the same way every time I see it. What happened: Four spans of this steel and concrete bridge suddenly and dramatically failed and crashed into the St. Maurice river. reem mohd replied on 8 December, 2020 - 16:40 United Arab Emirates. Date: 1444 and 1524. Lessons learned: This collapse led to one of the first investigations of a failed railway bridge. Rialto Bridge: The Oldest Bridge on Venice’s Grand Canal If you’re planning your Venice day trip, there are a few landmarks you definitely won’t want to miss.One of them is the majestic ‘Ponte di Rialto’ or Rialto Bridge, famously immortalised by artists such as Canaletto and even mentioned by Shakespeare, whose Shylock asks, “What news on the Rialto?” in The Merchant of Venice. In 1524, another collapse occurred but it wasn’t until 1551 that the Venetian authorities launched a call for tenders for the reconstruction of the Rialto bridge. Three bridges collapsed in the same spot before the Rialto Bridge was built. Ponte di Rialto: Rialto bridge - See 17,425 traveler reviews, 9,061 candid photos, and great deals for Venice, Italy, at Tripadvisor. The Rialto Bridge is a multi-arched stone bridge in which a number of jewelry and souvenir shops are now crammed. What a Biden-Harris Administration Could Mean for Bridge Infrastructure, Proven Ways for Bridge Contractors to Optimize Their Year-End Finances. This was particularly true of old-fashioned train bridges, where the spark created by the steel wheels and steel tracks could sometimes cause a bridge to catch fire and burn to the ground. See pictures and our review of Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto). amazingly, the Rialto Bridge crossing was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot for 300 years! After every one of them, bridge experts, inspectors, and engineers stepped in, studied what happened (no matter how unusual the cause), and applied what they learned to future bridge construction projects. Here are fun facts about the bridge. Failed bolts were identified as the immediate cause of this failure, but experts are still looking for the root cause. ARCHITECTURE. What happened: This temporary wooden railway trestle bridge was washed out because of pressure from debris during a high water event. Partial bridge collapse Bridge collapsed during concrete casting, with debris falling onto open motorway below and narrowly missing vehicles, closing major motorway E47 for several days. And so, they decided to make the first stone bridge, and the Rialto Bridge as we know it today was born. It cut the only roadway between Eastern and Western Canada, with the only detour being almost 1,000 miles around Lake Superior through the United States. Of course, in most cities these principle roads are… roads. The last collapse came … I didn't really visit it but I've seen it on the internet, and it has a pretty design. The "golden gate" in the US. Three-speed stairs and a street built on both sides with souvenir shops lead across the bridge. Close your bridge utility projects easier, safer, and on-time by staying up-to-date with bridge utility solutions. Angers Bridge, 1850. VENICE, ITALY - JANUARY 06: Two of the participants sail under Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal ahead of the 34th Befana Regatta on January 6, 2012 in Venice, Italy. This accident taught engineers the importance of installing proper drainage systems around bridges. Both of these kinds of accidents are extremely rare, but boats and trains can cause a bridge to collapse for different reasons. https://www.constrofacilitator.com/restoration-of-rialto-bridgevenice-by-mapei Image from Wikipedia, “I-35W Mississippi River bridge,” unaltered and used with permission under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic license. In order to strengthen the structure and improve its mechanical strength. I visited Vecchio´s Bridge in 2013. That being said, this stunning stone structure was so much more impressive than the … As with many other city bridges in medieval Europe, merchants saw the appeal of the pe… But part of the bridge's railings collapsed under the weight last year. It is also known as the bridge of the goldsmiths or jewelers because of the jewelry stores that are inside. 7. © British Council Luckily, this kind of collapse is relatively infrequent, especially with modern bridges. The best way to avoid bridge failures is to plan for them. It began as a series of floating pontoons in 1181 and was replaced by a wooden structure in 1250 as traffic increased. The balustrade in particular had a longitudinal lesion that had made it dangerous and prone to collapse. All these were, practically, training for the stone bridge that was to be born between 1588 and 1591, under the supervision of an architect with an interesting name, Antonio da Ponte (ponte means bridge in italian). It connects both banks of the Grand Canal and is considered to be the geographical center of the city. The first construction of the bridge was a pontoon bridge built by Nicolo Barattieri. What happened: This is one of the earliest documented bridge failures. It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern entrance. The principle waterway that curves through the city, the Grand Canal divides Venice's districts and markets. The original structure was built in 1255 and had survived being burnt during a revolt and a collapse under the weight of a crowd on it. In 1551, the authorities requested proposals for the renewal of the Rialto Bridge, among other things. Local name Ponte di Rialto Location San Marco, Venice, Italy One of the four bridges that cross the Grand Canal of Venice, built for the first time in 1181 (which makes it the oldest one of the four). It was called the Ponte della Moneta, presumably because of the mint that stood near its eastern … The first permanent dry crossing of the Grand Canal in Venice was achievedby Nicolò Barattieri who oversaw the construction of the wooden pontoon bridge called “Ponte della Moneta” in 1181. This is an important lesson for today, when U.S. bridge infrastructure is aging and not being replaced in a timely manner because of budget disagreements. In other cases, the bridge was designed only to support a certain amount of weight and no more. A wooden bridge dutifully replaced it in 1250. Spanning the Maine River in Angers, France, this suspension bridge was built in 1839. In fact, its history dates back to pre-Roman times when there were already on the site settlements of stilt houses of the Venetians. …