Basques have a suspension bridge that transports millions of people and cars across the river annually

(Patria) - The Vizcaya Bridge over the Nervion River, or Bizkaiko Zubia as the Basques call it, is the oldest transport bridge in the world. It connects the Spanish cities of Portugalete and Getxo, located north of Bilbao.

Locals call it a "suspension bridge", but Vizcaya is a transporter bridge with a gondola that carries passengers and is the first bridge of its kind ever built.

At the time of its creation, it was considered an architectural marvel because it allowed ships to sail unimpeded, writes Punkufer.

This gem of the industrial revolution was created at the end of the 19th century, and a little later it was recognized by UNESCO and included on its list.

In later years, numerous transporter bridges were built around the world in the image of Vizcaya.

The bridge was designed by architect Alberto Palacio to connect the two cities without interrupting shipping traffic from Bilbao to the sea, nor requiring the construction of massive ramps.

Vizcaya was made of iron and light steel cables, becoming the first suspension bridge to transport passengers and cars on a gondola once powered by steam.

The bridge is 164 meters long and 45 meters high. It takes the gondola about 90 seconds to transport six cars and 200 people from one side to the other without disrupting ship traffic.

Since it was first put into operation, the bridge has transported about 650 million people, and if the distance they traveled were added up, it would be equivalent to 31 trips around the Earth.

Vizcaya transports six million passengers every year. It also got an elevator in 1999, primarily for tourists, so they could walk on the iron structure and enjoy the view of the surroundings (provided they are not afraid of heights).