Cầu Rakotz, Kromlau, Germany
In their most basic form, bridges help people get from point A to point B. Yet sometimes – like in the case of the Rakotz bridge in Kromlau, Germany (pictured) – the structure can transform the very landscape around it and become a work of art.

Spanning the sky in Malaysia

Architect Mayur Kanaiya gave special props to the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a 125m-long curving cable bridge atop Gunung Mat Cincang mountain on Pulau Langkawi island. “The curving bridge deck allows visitors an intimate experience of the forest canopy and wildlife,” said Kanaiya. “It’s a great example of treading lightly on the land.” (Olaf Loose/Getty)

In the depths of northeastern India, in one of the wettest places on earth, bridges aren't built - they're grown.

Instead of bricks, mortar or even standard planks of wood, the village of Cherrapunji in the state of Meghalaya – known as one of the wettest places in the world – builds bridges out of tree roots. The local War-Khasis tribe learned long ago how to tame the roots of the native ficus to grow in a certain direction, using bamboo as support. Some of the bridges are more than 30m long and can support the weight of 50 people, said Ravi Kodakandla, a Quora user from Hyderabad, India. (Amos Chapple/Getty)

The tenacity of mankind in Yemen


Mechanical engineer Achilleas Vortselas had a special affection for stone bridges. “No modern bridge can compare in grace with traditional stone arch bridges,” he said. “Stone bridges often demonstrate the tenacity of mankind to overcome physical obstacles, even with modest technical means. Shaharah Bridge in Yemen is a marvellous case of that.” (Alfio Cioffi/Getty)