Run over the most iconic bridges 1/3

Urbirun takes you across many of the world’s most iconic and extraordinary bridges. And crossing these bridges offers sublime views of the surrounding landscape. So don’t hesitate, let yourself be guided, and cross rivers while keeping your sneakers dry – urbirunnez !

Run on Brooklyn Bridge

Built in 1883, in a city that already had over a million inhabitants… imagine what your village was like in those days… Almost 2km long, this suspension bridge is supported by two 90m-high brick pillars, buried 35m below ground. For many years, it was the longest bridge in the world, so long that the townspeople doubted its solidity. To reassure them, a herd of 21 elephants was herded across to remove any remaining doubts…

urbirun NYC – Brooklyn Classic

Run on Ponte Vecchio

Florence’s oldest bridge, its current appearance dates back to 1345. Building houses on bridges was common practice in European cities in the Middle Ages. Butchers, trimmers and tanners were all to be found here. Supported by 3 arches some thirty meters high. It was the only bridge left standing during the Second World War, thanks to the intervention of a Swiss diplomat who convinced the Nazis not to destroy it during their retreat, when they destroyed all the other bridges in the city.

urbirun Florence

Run on Ponte Fabricus

This is probably the oldest bridge you’ll ever cross: it’s over 2000 years old, and was last renovated over 400 years ago… It’s supported by two large arches with a 25m opening. Its central pier is pierced by a “water scoop” to relieve the hydraulic pressure on the structure in the event of high water. Perhaps this explains its incredible longevity. It does not link 2 banks, but provides access to the Tiberine Island.

urbirun Rome – Trastevere

Run on Charles Bridge

This bridge, built in 1357, is lined with statues that were added in the 17th century and evoke the city’s religious history. Each end of this 515m-long (yes, half a kilometer) bridge is protected by a Gothic-style tower. Until the 18th century, for over 400 years, it was the only bridge crossing the Vlatva in Prague.

urbirun Prague

Run on Tower Bridge

At the time of its construction, this bridge was the largest and most sophisticated bascule bridge ever built. It is a combination of a suspension bridge (2 spans of 82m) and a bascule bridge, with the central span (61m) consisting of two hydraulically-activated bascule beams, between two neo-Gothic steel-framed towers. The upper footbridge used to allow pedestrians to cross when the drawbridge was open for boats, but access is no longer possible. It was opened to traffic in 1894, to cross the Thames, which is 270m wide at this point.

urbirun London – Highlights / urbirun London – Thames and more