Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon, Portugal Sep 10, 2024

Today"s image features the Vasco da Gama Bridge in Portugal, which looks like a sleek line cutting through Lisbon"s skyline. Up close, it is a cable-stayed bridge with viaducts, stretching across the Tagus River in Parque das Nações, a civil parish in Lisbon. The second longest bridge in Europe, it also holds the title of being the longest in the European Union. Built to ease the traffic jam on Lisbon"s 25 de Abril Bridge and make travel smoother between the north and south of Portugal, the construction of the Vasco da Gama Bridge began in February 1995. It is earthquake-resistant, designed to absorb shifting during a quake. Since its deck is not fixed to the pylons, it can move both lengthwise and sideways. Inaugurated on March 29, 1998, the bridge"s opening was perfectly timed for Expo 98, the World"s Fair celebrating the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama"s historic sea route discovery from Europe to India.

© Achim Thomae/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Getting starry-eyed at the moon
Sep 10, 2023Grandparents Day
Sep 10, 2025Hay bales in North Yorkshire, England

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Switzerland of India
Celebrating the Scottish bard
Nap your worries away
Apr 29, 2025Garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France
Jun 13, 2024Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Aug 26, 2023Berlin Cathedral and Museum Island, Berlin, Germany
The ‘Old Bridge,’ reborn
Where is this ethereal mountain?
Oct 9, 2023Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Dec 15, 2023SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
Jan 17, 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States
An endless stretch of sky
More of a moustache than a beard?
Im ready for my close-up, Mr. DeSquirrel
Spanning the soft sunlight
Nov 7, 2025Polar bear in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Oct 16, 2023Golden larches and Prusik Peak, Enchantments, Washington
Mar 17, 2025Samuel Beckett Bridge, Dublin, Ireland
Sep 5, 2023Mount Segla, Senja Island, Norway
Jul 16, 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
Nov 26, 2025Olive orchard in the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
What are these unique creatures?
Sep 5, 2025Happy Onam!
Feb 22, 2026Mam Tor, Derbyshire, England
Jan 28, 2026Whanganui National Park, Retaruke, New Zealand
Aug 28, 2024Paralympic Games begin in Paris
Jan 23, 2026Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival
Jan 22, 2025Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Feb 15, 2026Celebrating Maha Shivaratri
Jul 27, 2025Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt