This project cost $2.8 million and took 2 years to build. Source: Carlos Costa/AFP The bridge is located at a height of 175m, below is the fast flowing water of the Paiva river. The scenery here is extremely peaceful, but the journey across the bridge is not for the faint of heart. The bridge is supported by steel cables and two massive towers on each side, the railing has a metal mesh, but visitors still feel a little “wobble” when crossing the bridge. Although heights can be intimidating for many, the first guests to walk here said they were excited and enjoyed the experience. A local resident named Marcio Soares also shared, he feels proud of the bridge. The Arouca city government hopes the $2.8 million project and takes two years to build will help revive the economy here. Suspension bridge “516 Arouca”. Source: Reuters During the inauguration ceremony, Mayor Margarida Belem said it will be one of the main attractions in the area: “Although the construction of the bridge has been completed for some time, the inauguration is still very important because It allows us to resume tourism.” Mr. Emanuel – a local guide shared, this city is aging rapidly as many young people move to big cities: “This is a breath of fresh air for our land, helping to attract many heads of the city. More private, more tourists. It will give a new impetus to Arouca.”

Officially inaugurated on May 2, this bridge is really not for the faint of heart. This special structure is made up of metal grids, hanging precariously at a height of 175m overlooking the fast-flowing Paiva River. Nestled among the rocky mountains covered with green trees and yellow flowers inside the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Arouca Geopark, the Arouca Bridge is 516m long. To cross this bridge, on average, each person takes about 10 minutes. The bridge is not intended for children under the age of six. Not until today’s inauguration ceremony, two days ago, people from the nearby town of Arouca were allowed to walk across this special suspension bridge. As the first person to have the courage to cross the longest suspension bridge in the world, Hugo Xavier shared: “I was a bit scared, but it was really worth it. Truly extraordinary, so unique.” Margarida Belem, the head of the Arouca region, said that the opening of the bridge after two years of construction would help the region resume tourism activities. “This bridge is a major attraction of this region,” said Margarida Belem. Meanwhile, Mr. Emanuel, a local tour guide, expects that: “The bridge is a breath of fresh air for our land because it will attract more investment, more people.” because the population in the region is aging rapidly as many young people move to big cities. “It will give a new impetus to Arouca,” said Emanuel. When fully operational from May 3, the 516m Arouca suspension bridge will break the 2017 record for the longest pedestrian suspension bridge recorded for the Charles Kuonen suspension bridge in Randa, in the mountains. Swiss Alps.

The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge is located between two hills A pedestrian suspension bridge named 516 Arouca with a length of 516 meters has just opened in northern Portugal after 3 years of construction. The bridge, located inside the Arouca Geopark, hovers 175 meters above the Paiva River and connects two hills. The bridge as a tourist attraction for the Arouca area. It is next to the Paiva Walkways, an 8km trail that winds through the Arouca hills. When crossing the bridge visitors have views over the Pavia Gorge, towards the nearby Aguieiras Falls, and all the verdant rocky mountains in the Arouca geopark. The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge is held up by steel cables and two large towers at each end. This pedestrian suspension bridge that can see through will shake with every step. The pedestrian walkway is made up of 127 metal cages stacked together. Hugo Xavier, the first person to have the courage to cross this bridge, said: “I was a little scared, but the experience was very unique, extraordinary, well worth it for you to overcome your fear”. Rui Brandao, who participated in the experience but did not dare to look down, said: “I recommend you try this experience once in your life even if you have a fear of heights like me.” Visitors can admire the natural beauty of the national park while standing on the bridge 516 Arouca Bridge, designed by the Portuguese company Itecons, is inspired by the ancient Inca rope bridges spanning the gorge in the Andes. Margarida Belém, Mayor of Arouca said: “This is a remarkable national monument, the most iconic structure in Arouca and in the whole country. It has certainly become a landmark of the present. great”. It will take you about 10 minutes if you walk while enjoying the panoramic view of the surroundings such as waterfalls, canyons and fast flowing river below through the mesh at your feet; or about 4 minutes if you’re just trying to get through quickly because you’re afraid of heights. The bridge is currently Europe’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, surpassing Switzerland’s 494-meter-high Charles Kuonen Bridge, completed in 2017. It is also the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world because the 567-meter Baglung Parbat Footbridge in Nepal is quite simple, the bridge deck follows a curve and is supported like a cable car.