According to Guinness World Records, the oldest datable bridge that is still in use crosses the River Males in Izmir, Turkey. Made of slab stone over a single arch, it dates to c. 850 BC and is a testament to the fact that for all the ways the world has changed, one thing remains the same: People never stop looking for a better way. And to those who think that bridges are all the same, perhaps they haven’t taken the time to observe them with thoughtful eyes. Every bridge has a story to be told—a journey that is not only unexpected and interesting, but also an affirmation that we really are capable of overcoming the obstacles in our way. Beyond the most obvious aspects of nature and surroundings, this is what makes bridges so beautiful.