# What's the most famous bridge in the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 29, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609 "2017-09-29T20:51:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/21 "2017-09-30T02:39:23Z")
When I saw the thread title, my first thought was of the Golden Gate Bridge, so I chose that one. Interestingly, I’ve crossed all of the ones listed in the poll. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/22 "2017-09-30T03:28:47Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > Don’t overthink the question. Just tell us the first bridge that comes to mind when someone asks you to name a bridge. OK. Bridge over troubled waters ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/23 "2017-09-30T03:43:09Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > It’s the Brooklyn Bridge. I should know. I bought it. I went Brooklyn but more on the strength of all the various news/history/other TV shows I’ve seen about it. Golden Gate isn’t a bad choice but I think that is more a Pacific Rim response. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/24 "2017-09-30T05:02:24Z")
The Bridge of Sighs. Funny answer, Bridge over Troubled Water:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/25 "2017-09-30T05:20:07Z")
I voted for the Golden Gate, but I thought I’d offer up [this one](https://youtu.be/lXyG68_caV4?t=3m05s) for a little hometown cred. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/26 "2017-09-30T05:21:24Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Everyone should try the drive from Miami to Key West before they die, especially in a convertible. Playing rockabilly music on th’ stereo is good, too. The Seven Mile Bridge is the lengthiest of the expanses. > > [Seven Mile Bridge - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Mile_Bridge) I loved doing that drive with my mom a few years ago. We played Jimmy Buffet and Caribbean music. Hoping to get back out there one day and do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/27 "2017-09-30T08:07:37Z")
Define “most famous” if you asked anyone for the first bridge they can think of then they’ll probably choose a bridge locally famous to them. If you went round the world and showed just a picture of famous bridges to people (without too many other visual cues) and asked them what bridge it is, then that might be a different thing. For the latter case I think Tower Bridge and Sydney Harbour bridge might be more easily recognisable than Brooklyn Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/28 "2017-09-30T08:51:30Z")
Tie between Golden Gate and Brooklyn. Tower is a very close third and would also be in first if people knew its name was Tower and not London. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/29 "2017-09-30T11:23:06Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Tie between Golden Gate and Brooklyn. Tower is a very close third and would also be in first if people knew its name was Tower and not London. I think that is a very USA-centric view though, is the Golden Gate shape and setting more iconic than Sydney Harbour or Tower Bridge outside of the USA? ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/30 "2017-09-30T12:43:23Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > Don’t overthink the question. Just tell us the first bridge that comes to mind when someone asks you to name a bridge. I don’t think that works. The first bridge I thought of was Mackinac (in part because I recently walked across it), but I don’t think it’s the most famous. I voted Golden Gate. mmm ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/31 "2017-09-30T12:52:39Z")
Honestly, the first one I thought of (before reading the choices) was the [Millau Viaduct.](http://www.highestbridges.com/wiki/index.php?title=Millau_Viaduct)I know it’s not famous because I never heard of it till I saw a TV program detailing its construction. But I still think it’s an amazing structure and an incredible feat of engineering. When I considered well-known bridges, the Tower Bridge and the Golden Gate were the ones that came to mind for me. But I didn’t vote. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/32 "2017-09-30T13:08:20Z")
**Robot Arm** , my first thought was Golden Gate, but I was also going to give a shout-out to ol’ Galloping Gertie. …But do they call me Moisseiff the bridge-builder? ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/33 "2017-09-30T13:27:02Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I think that is a very USA-centric view though, is the Golden Gate shape and setting more iconic than Sydney Harbour or Tower Bridge outside of the USA? My Australian opinion is that Sydney Harbor Bridge is a nice bridge, but not all that iconic (their Opera House on the other hand…) Tower Bridge suffers from half its viewers not knowing what it’s called. I voted for the Golden Gate. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/34 "2017-09-30T13:28:39Z")
I voted for the Brooklyn because it was the first long span suspension bridge and is still in excellent condition. I’ve driven over it many times, although I’ve never walked over it. Twenty years ago, I walked to the midpoint of the Golden Gate in the company of Sergei Brin (this was before Google) and then back. Someone mentioned the SF Bay bridge. I don’t think I had ever heard of it before the 1989 earthquake. I don’t think that is at all famous. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/35 "2017-09-30T14:31:37Z")
If you’re a civil/mechanical engineer, then you might argue for the [Tacoma Narrows Bridge,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940)) which collapsed [in spectacular fashion.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/36 "2017-09-30T14:35:32Z")
From where I’m sitting, it’s the GWB (George Washington Bridge). ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/37 "2017-09-30T14:43:39Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > If you’re a civil/mechanical engineer, then you might argue for the [Tacoma Narrows Bridge,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacoma_Narrows_Bridge_(1940)) which collapsed [in spectacular fashion.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw) So did the [**Tay Bridge**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay_Bridge_disaster); plus that had McGonagall. Also, let’s recall The Bridge of San Luis Rey. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/38 "2017-09-30T14:46:43Z")
I suspect Golden Gate Bridge is the bridge most people have heard of, while the Tower Bridge is the one most people would recognize in a picture (though not necessarily by the correct name). The first bridge that comes to _my_ mind is the [Forth Bridge](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/39 "2017-09-30T14:49:49Z")
And I suppose that a case could be made for the [Pons Asinorum](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pons_asinorum). ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2017, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609/40 "2017-09-30T16:04:58Z")
I was going to mention (and I still will) the former Tacoma Narrows bridge (a.k.a. Galloping Gertie) but I see that three earlier posters already got it – including a link to that spectacular video! (I didn’t actually view the video just now – is it the one that shows the guy running for his life to get off the bridge? Yes, there is one such video. Sad ending: His dog didn’t make it.) > [@Darren Garrison](#): > > What makes things widely famous is if they are often used in popular media. People don’t know about the Empire State Building because it was once the tallest building in the world–people know the Empire State Building because King Kong once climbed it. Honorable mention also to the Tallahatchie Bridge! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-famous-bridge-in-the-world/797609.md?page=3)