New York - Brooklyn Bridge

Completed in 1883, The Brooklyn Bridge was the world's first to be constructed of steel. The bridge spans the East River from Manhattan. An American landmark, the bridge has inspired generations of poets, songwriters and painters.

Engineer John Roebling conceived of the bridge in 1855 and worked out every detail from its two granite towers to its four suspended steel cables.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Central Park

Statue of Liberty

Empire State Building

American Museum of Natural History

Chrysler Building

The Cloisters

Fifth Avenue

In June 1869 while determining the Brooklyn tower site, a ferry crushed Roebling's foot. Three weeks later, before ground has been broken, Roebling died of tetanus. Roebling's son, Washington, picked up the reins and executed his Father's grand plans. In 1872, however, Washington developed caisson's disease which robbed him of his seeing, walking and writing facilities.

The bridge features two powerful stone towers which are connected at the top with Gothic-shaped arches. They carry four cables that cross the East River.