Panorama of Vasco da Gama (bridge). Virtual tour of Vasco da Gama (bridge). Attractions, map, photos, videos. Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest bridge in Europe Where is the Vasco da Gama Bridge

The bridge is a unique invention of mankind. It allows you to connect the necessary objects, organize transport traffic and connect remote areas with continents. Very often the bridge amazes with its external design. The Vasco da Gama Bridge is exactly such a structure.

This structure is one of Portugal's most memorable landmarks. The bridge stands out among other buildings with its amazing beauty and incredible length. It seems that this design has no end or edge. The total length of Vasco da Gama is 17.2 km - it is the longest bridge in Europe. Looking around this building, you understand that the architects did not forget about the aesthetic orientation. Externally, the design is distinguished by its lightness and airiness. In addition, this bridge does not have a classical shape.

If we talk about the functional orientation of the structure, the meaning of the creation was to connect two remote areas of Lisbon. The construction of the bridge made it possible to establish transport links and provide unhindered access to objects. The bridge design is a combination of two engineering solutions - the cable-stayed structure gradually turns into a viaduct. That is why the bridge has a non-traditional shape: the cable-stayed structure is located perpendicular to the shore, and the viaduct is approximately parallel.

Thus, the Vasco de Gama Bridge is a harmonious combination of beauty and functionality. It simplifies life for residents and guests of the city and gives wonderful aesthetic pleasure from its contemplation. For everyone who is going to Portugal, this bridge must be included in the route schedule. Fog, night, dawn - it will be able to amaze the imagination in any weather conditions.

Vasco da Gama Bridge - PHOTO

The Vasco da Gama Bridge (Ponte Vasco da Gama) is the longest bridge in Europe. It is located in Portugal, just northeast of Lisbon. Vasco da Gama is thrown across the Tagus River and its main purpose is to help another Lisbon bridge in distributing car traffic.

Preparations for the construction of the Vasco da Gama Bridge began in 1995, and on March 29, 1998 it was opened. The total length of the structure is 17.2 kilometers. Like most similar, super-long bridges, Vasco da Gama is a mixed type of structure. This is a viaduct with one main span for the passage of ships.

And if the distance between the piles of the viaduct ranges from 45 to 80 meters, then the main span has a length of as much as 420 meters. The roadway is supported by cables stretched from two pylons, the height of which is 148 meters. The height of the roadway itself above sea level is 47 meters. This is quite enough for the passage of river vessels. Sea ships do not sail here, since the bridge is located behind the Lisbon seaport.

As mentioned above, Vasco da Gama is a road bridge. Its width is 30 meters. There are three lanes in each direction. It is noteworthy that travel on the bridge is paid only if you are moving towards Lisbon (2.5 - 5.85 euros for cars, depending on the size; and 11.2 euros for trucks), travel in the opposite direction is free.

If you look at the map (located below), you will see that the bridge was not built at the narrowest point of the river. This is due to environmental safety considerations. Accordingly, the cost of construction has increased significantly because of this. The total amount was 897 million euros.

And finally, the name of the bridge, Vasco da Gama, was obtained due to the fact that in 1998 the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the sea route from Europe to India by this great Portuguese navigator was celebrated.

A few more photos of this grandiose structure:

The Vasco da Gama Bridge (Ponte Vasco da Gama) is the longest bridge in Europe. It is located in Portugal, just northeast of Lisbon. Vasco da Gama is thrown across the Tagus River and its main purpose is to help another Lisbon bridge in distributing car traffic.

Preparations for the construction of the Vasco da Gama Bridge began in 1995, and on March 29, 1998 it was opened. The total length of the structure is 17.2 kilometers. Like most similar, super-long bridges, Vasco da Gama is a mixed type of structure. This is a viaduct with one main span for the passage of ships.

And if the distance between the piles of the viaduct ranges from 45 to 80 meters, then the main span has a length of as much as 420 meters. The roadway is supported by cables stretched from two pylons, the height of which is 148 meters. The height of the roadway itself above sea level is 47 meters. This is quite enough for the passage of river vessels. Sea ships do not sail here, since the bridge is located behind the Lisbon seaport.

As mentioned above, Vasco da Gama is a road bridge. Its width is 30 meters. There are three lanes in each direction. It is noteworthy that travel on the bridge is paid only if you are moving towards Lisbon (2.5 - 5.85 euros for cars, depending on the size; and 11.2 euros for trucks), travel in the opposite direction is free.

If you look at the map (located below), you will see that the bridge was not built at the narrowest point of the river. This is due to environmental safety considerations. Accordingly, the cost of construction has increased significantly because of this. The total amount was 897 million euros.

And finally, the name of the bridge, Vasco da Gama, was obtained due to the fact that in 1998 the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the sea route from Europe to India by this great Portuguese navigator was celebrated.

A few more photos of this grandiose structure:

The Vasco da Gama Bridge (Vasco da Gama in Portuguese) is the longest bridge in Europe, connecting Lisbon and the cities of Montijo and Alcuchet, located on the opposite bank of the Tagus River. Among all the bridges in the world, it is the ninth longest, which is 17.3 kilometers. The maximum height of the bridge is 155 meters.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge is located close to the area in Lisbon where the Lisbon World Exhibition (Expo 98) was held in 1998.

Interesting fact: During the opening of the bridge, the largest feijoada in the world was prepared and served, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records. 15 thousand people sat at a table 5 km long.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge was built as an alternative for road travel between the north and south of Portugal through the capital region.

The bridge is named so in honor of the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's first arrival in India in 1498.

Fare along the Vasco da Gama bridge is 2,75€ for a passenger car. Paid only upon entering the city.

Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon - history of construction and interesting facts

Construction of the bridge began in September 1994 and ended in December 1997. It took 18 months to prepare for construction. The same amount was spent on the construction of the bridge. 3,300 people took part in the construction of the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The estimated lifespan of the bridge is 120 years. The bridge can withstand wind gusts of up to 250 km/h, and is also resistant to an earthquake 4.5 times stronger than the one that destroyed Lisbon in 1755 (8.7 on the Richter scale). The bridge's deepest piles, 2.5 meters in diameter, reach a depth of 95 meters below sea level.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge was designed and built taking into account the curvature of the globe to avoid differences in height at different ends of the bridge, which could reach 80 cm.

The bridge is designed in such a way as to prevent damage to the environment and ecology of the Tagus Bay (the so-called Sea of ​​Straw or Mar de Pala).

The bridge has 6 traffic lanes with the possibility of expanding to 8 lanes. The maximum speed is 120 km/h. Minimum - 50 km/h.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge is divided into several sections: the North Viaduct, the Expo Viaduct of 12 sections, the Main Bridge, the Central Viaduct and the South Viaduct.

There is a toll on the bridge when traveling north (to Lisbon). The owner of a car will pay 2.75 €; travel on a cargo truck costs 6.25€, 9.20€ or 11.80€ - depending on the number of axles (two, three or more than three). Current tariffs are on the official website of Lusoponte - www.lusoponte.pt.

Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon on the map

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The Age of Discovery forever changed the course of world history. Thanks to brave sailors, the West discovered new countries and continents, geographical objects, and socio-economic relations, trade, and science developed. One of these travelers who left their mark on history was the Portuguese Vasco da Gama.

Youth

Vasco da Gama was born in 1460 in the family of the Portuguese knight Estevan da Gana. Having received a decent education in the holy Order of Santiago, from an early age Vasco began to take an active part in naval battles.

Possessing a decisive and unbridled disposition, the young man succeeded so well in this that in 1492, by order of the king, he led an operation to capture French ships that had illegally taken possession of a Portuguese caravel loaded with gold.

Rice. 1. Vasco da Gama.

Thanks to his desperately bold and, most importantly, successful foray, the young navigator gained royal favor and great popularity at court. This was the first step on the path of Vasco da Gama, who dreamed of fame and wealth.

Main goal - India

In the Middle Ages, Portugal was located far from the main trade routes, and all valuable oriental goods - spices, fabrics, gold and gems - had to be purchased from resellers at exorbitant prices. The country, exhausted by endless wars with Castile, could not afford such expenses. Finding a sea route to India became the most important task for Portugal.

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However, the geographical location of the state was such that while searching for a convenient route to India, Portuguese sailors were able to make many important discoveries. They believed that they could reach the coveted country by circumnavigating Africa.

The Portuguese discovered the islands of Principe and Sao Tome, most of the southern coast along the equator, and the Cape of Good Hope. It has been proven that the sultry continent does not reach the pole, and there is every chance of finding the cherished route to India.

Rice. 2. Cape of Good Hope.

Maiden voyage

King Manuel I of Portugal was well aware of how important it was to establish direct communication with India as quickly as possible. For the new sea expedition, four well-equipped maneuverable vessels were built. The command of the flagship San Gabriel was entrusted to Vasco da Gama.

Rich supplies of provisions, generous salaries for all crew members, the presence of a variety of weapons - all this testified to the most careful preparation for the upcoming journey, which started in 1497.

The Portuguese Armada headed for the Cape of Good Hope, rounding which the sailors planned to quickly reach the Indian coast.

Throughout the journey, the journey presented them with many unpleasant surprises: surprise attacks on water and on land, severe weather conditions, scurvy, ship breakdowns. But, despite all the difficulties, Vasco da Gama's expedition first reached the shores of India on May 20, 1498.

Rice. 3. Trade with Indians.

Great human sacrifices and the loss of two ships of the armada were more than compensated by successful trade with the Indians. The first experience turned out to be very successful - income from the sale of exotic goods brought from India was 60 times higher than the cost of the sea voyage.

Second voyage

The organization of the next expedition to the Indian coast turned out to be a necessary measure to suppress the unrest caused by the Indians. The aborigines not only burned the Portuguese trading settlement - a trading post, but also drove all European traders out of their state.

This time the armada consisted of 20 ships, whose tasks included not only solving “Indian” problems, but also interfering with Arab trade and protecting Portuguese trading posts.

A well-armed flotilla under the command of Vasco da Gama took to the high seas in 1502. He showed himself to be a cruel and merciless punisher, and all Indian resistance was broken at the root. Returning a year later to his native Lisbon with impressive booty, the navigator received the title of count, an increased pension and rich land.

Third voyage

After the death of King Manuel I, the Portuguese throne went to his son João III. The heir noticed that profits from trade with India had become significantly less. To solve this problem, the new ruler appointed Vasco da Gama as the fifth viceroy of India, and ordered him to go to his possessions and find out all the circumstances.

The famous navigator went to India for the third time in 1524. Arriving at the place, he dealt with all the guilty parties in his characteristic cruel manner.

During the return journey, Vasco da Gama felt unwell. Painful abscesses on the neck turned out to be symptoms of malaria, which killed the famous sailor. He died on December 24, 1524, without ever seeing his native shores.

Vasco da Gama's body was buried in a monastery located on the outskirts of Lisbon. Later, a city in Goa was named after him.

What have we learned?

While studying the report on the topic “Vasco da Gama,” we learned briefly about the discovery of India by Vasco da Gama. We found out how important it was for Portugal to find a direct route to India. And what Vasco da Gama discovered in geography played a huge role in the development of the economy of his native country, strengthening its status as a strong maritime power on the world stage. We also learned interesting facts about three sea expeditions carried out by the great navigator.

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