5 Historic & Record Breaking Wooden Bridges
5. Holzbrücke Bad Säckingen
Holzbrücke Bad Säckingen, also known as Säckingerbrücke, was originally built in 1272. This once road traffic bridge, now a pedestrian bridge, is known for two historic facts. First, the bridge as it is now is not the same bridge as it was in 1272. This is because the bridge was destroyed numerous times between 1570 and 1678. Holzbrücke Bad Säckingen as it stands now was completed in 1700. Secondly, this pedestrian bridge is known as the longest roofed wooden bridge in Europe.
4. Cornish-Windsor
Built in 1866, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge represented the first major step in the development and evolution of American wooden bridges. This covered bridge is the longest wooden bridge in the United States. The Cornish-Windsor Bridge is also touted as the longest two-span covered bridge in the world.
3. Hartland
Constructed in 1901, the Hartland Covered Bridge was built as an alternative means to the ferry to cross the Saint John River. This bridge has two historic facts. First, the first person to cross the bridge before it opened was a doctor responding to an emergency call. The workers placed planks over unfinished sections of the bridge so that he could cross. Secondly, the Hartland Covered bridge is the world’s longest covered bridge.
2. Hōrai
Touted as the longest wooden walking bridge in the world since 1997, the Hōrai Bridge is located in the city of Shimada, Shizuoka, Japan. The bridge was built as a way for travelers to cross over the Ōi River during times of heavy flooding. Although the wooden pilings have been long since replaced, the Horai bridge’s original wooden top still remains to this day.
1. Kapellbrücke
Known as the symbol of Lucerne, Switzerland, the Kapellbrücke is the world’s oldest surviving truss bridge. The bridge was built initially as a defense fortification. In addition, the tower that resides upon it was built three decades prior to the bridge’s construction. Furthermore, the Kapellbrücke is Europe’s oldest wooden covered bridge.
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