Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, USA • 360° Aerial Panorama
This panorama can be opened in several different resolutions. High resolution panorama with the best quality is about 7 Mb large and it is suitable for fast internet connections and modern computers. For slower internet and old weak computers we created the smaller low resolution panorama. Some small details have been sacrificed but the size of low resolution panorama is nomore than 2 Mb. |
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This panorama was shot in May of 2008 from one of the main sightseeing of San Francisco - the Golden Gate Bridge. To shoot it we took with us a 4 meter collapsible telescope when we left Moscow for the USA. On the way it was lost in two airports but in two weeks, to the very end of our visit, it fortunately found us. And that was not the end of our adventures: as soon as we had finished our shooting, the police came for us by three cars. However, this story has a happy end.
So, I'd like to tell you in brief about one of the most recognizable bridges in the world - the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Pacific Ocean and Sun Francisco Bay are connected with Golden Gate Strait. It is considered that such poetic name was given by military topographer John Freemont who had seen its likeness with Golden Horn Bay in Istanbul. Many dreamed of the bridge's construction even in XIX century, but only in the beginning of XX century the real technical potential appeared to realize this idea. Engineer Joseph Strauss, who has elaborated nearly 400 bridge constructions by that time, made a proposal to extend a cable bridge with two bridge abutments and 2.5 km long. His project was taken an interest, but wasn't trusted and, finally, refused.
However, Sun Francisco grew rapidly and each year there were more and more cars. The experts began to analyze all the pro et contra of an automobile and pedestrian bridge of a traditional construction. The approximate costs of such a project were 100 million dollars - the unprecedented amount at that time. The city hadn't got this money.
And then Joseph Strauss announced that he could construct the cable bridge which would cost maximum 27 million dollars. This bold project had been approved by President Franklin Roosevelt and construction works, finally, began.
But this wasn't the end of the bridge's hard struggle for its place in the sun. The realization of its construction held under difficult conditions. Frequent mists, winds and waves made difficulties to set the bridge abutments, pull on wire cables and place bridge spans. And in spite of the strict execution of safety standards, before the very end of the construction works 10 people died by tragic accident.
In the opinion of some people in mystical mood, that accident was predetermined the future destiny of the bridge. The thing is that this construction, which became the most recognizable sightseeing of the city and which has been the longest cable bridge in the world for a long time, had the ill fame of the Suicide Bridge. The first suicide happened here in 1937, in three weeks after its opening. In the 90's the number of the self-murderers was more than one thousand people and then it was decided not to maintain official statistic records anymore. However, the fact is that the bridge takes one life, approximately, in two weeks. And this fact is inexplicable, because this bridge is not the only one hereabouts. According to some statistics, each 85 facts of suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge are compared with 14 the same tragedies on the neighboring bridge.
But the things are not so bad. During the large International Construction Exhibition 1999, which took place in Las Vegas, the only bridge, the Golden Gate, was in TOP 10 of the most significant achievements in the sphere on construction of XX century.
Among the touching facts from the bridge's life is a cross of a little deer in 2004. The young deer survived but the movement was stopped for 20 minutes.
The colour of the bridge is bright orange. It was chosen by the first architecture-consultant of the project - Irving Morrow.
The question can appear: "How often is it painted?"
The answer is unexpected: "It is painted daily and constantly. These works never end." A special group of 28 painters do it. The total costs of technical support of the bridge are 14 million dollars per year including paints and coverings.
All these make the Golden Gate that is an arterial highway as it is the unique architectural and cultural monument. And a magnificent view from the bridge to the city and to the strait of the same name attracts million tourists here.
And you can admire this beauty too.
Comments
5 from 5"Really beautiful I love it"
Paul Zappia, Italy
5 from 5"Prachtig!!!"
Mathieu van Bezel, Netherlands
"As most people who have jumped off the bridge, ALL were facing the city and not the open Ocean and so the city and county placed a wire fence on that railing and so nobody can,or has done, jumped off in a rather long time so once again your facts about one person every two weeks jumping off is WAY off the mark,it has NEVER been known as suicide bridge, who tells you this crap,I have lived here for years and worked as tour guide..The "other" bridge you mentioned must be the Bay Bridge and as far as I know nobody has ever jumped off that as they would be facing Oakland !!."
Andrew Wilson, USA
"Your video is great however your facts are somewhat wrong. -- The G.G.B. as we locals sometimes call it is in fact "The bridge that spans the Golden Gate" as this was the gateway to the gold fields,1849, in days gone by hence the name. It has nothing to do with a bridge in Istanbul."
Andrew Wilson, USA
5 from 5"Of course my rating is a plus 5! Born and raised in downtown SF in 1949 - went to Notre Dame des Victoires Grammar & High School (best yrs of my life!)We'e hoping for a 50 yr reunion of Grammar school in 2013 - anyone interested?? Love Sausalito too."
Jeanne Mathews-Schurr, USA
5 from 5"Everyone can rest easy. The cat was in no danger because the cat wasn't really there. It must have been photoshoped into the picture. How do I know? The cat casts no shadow. You can see the shadow of the pipe but not the cat. :)"
Chris Hawbaker, USA
5 from 5"I have had the fantastic pleasure of visiting San Francisco and went to the bridge and read the plack at the bottom of the bridge with its history inscribed.Just too marvelous.The U.S.A.is big,thinks big,and acts big because they are wonderful and clever people."
Lou Corbitt, South Africa
5 from 5"I've always wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge but never got to. Thanks for all the pictures, this is as close as I'll ever get to seeing it. One more thing I'd love to see is the Grand Canyon. Perhaps you can photograph it and put it here sometimes."
Julia Hermanson, Georgia
Alina, AirPano: Dear Julia, the Grand Canyon is closer than you think it is. Please, follow the link http://www.airpano.com/360Degree-VirtualTour.php?3D=Grand_Canyon_USA
5 from 5"I loved the photograph of the Golden Gate bridge with the cat sat sunbathing so high up. A brave puss.I hope he stayed safe!!!! Fantastic photography. Thank you."
Marian Hemming, United Kingdom
4 from 5"I grew up across the bay in Richmond. My most interesting experience on the bridge was walking across on a foggy day where in the middle you couldn't see either Marin County or SF. When I visit now I always drive up the hills of El Cerrito and view the bridge from there. When they opened the bridge from Richmond to San Rafael I took a carload of my friends and made the loop from Richmond to San Rafael to SF to Oakland and back home. The bridge is truly a national treasure."
jack repass, USA
5 from 5"I HAVE VISITED THE BRIDGE A DOZEN TIMES WHILE IN SF ON BUSINESS AND HAVE WALKED IT AT LEAST 6 TIMES AND AM STILL FACINATED BY IT! WHAT A GREAT EXPERIENCE!"
CLIFF JACKSON, USA
Alina, AirPano: Cliff, now you have another point of view on usual thing - from bird's eye view!
5 from 5"i was in san francisco in 2009 and had the pleasure of crossing the bridge on quite a few occasions,which was very close to my heart, simply because my home town PLYMOUTH ENGLAND has a bridge quite similiar to THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE although no way in the dimensions of this fantastic bridge"
ROBERT LENNOX, United Kingdom
5 from 5"I delivered the Train wash to Cal-Tran for San Francisco. The Train wash was or is like a big car wash, Only for Trains.I stayed in my truck next to the Cal-Tran station yard house. I departed just a couple of hours before the Big Earth quake hit S.F. The Bridge colasped on all of those cars and trucks. I was lucky to have departed when I did. I would have been in the middle of ground zero. Thank the men that worked for Cal-Tran for looking out for me while I was their. jop"
Jimmie Pelkey, USA
5 from 5"If a number higher than 5, I would have gladly given it. Please furnish info regarding the kitten.SF is a beautiful city; visited in '97 & would love to revisit before getting too old. It was a trip to remember-the best!"
Charlane Stevens, USA
5 from 5"When I was stationed on Mt. Tamalpais, we could see the tip of the bridge on a clear day. Memories"
Duane Rapelje, USA
5 from 5"Lived in Berkeley during WWII and could see the Golden Gate through a bedroom window. Such a beautiful bridge - get a lump in my throat just seeing these pictures. Live in Pasadena now and will always wonder about the kitty on the bridge."
Mary Matthiessen, USA
5 from 5"Wish you might include more of Europe next time - Wonderful experience looking at your Panaromas -Maybe Ireland sometime !!!!"
Robert McLoughlin, Ireland
5 from 5"After getting married in 1955, I lived in SF for 14 months. My husband was in the Army, stationed at the Presidio. My heart is still there. We lived at 25th & Cabrillo Sts. 5 min. from Presidio. Still have friends there."
Cathy Wanko, USA
5 from 5"Oops! That is not a Matson ship after all. I looked closer using the zoom tool.Must be a senior moment as I didn't notice the cat until it was mentioned."
William Mitchell, USA
5 from 5"I was born in "Frisco" (1941). Shipped out of there for 40 years on merchant ships (like the Matson ship going under the bridge)BTW only natives can call it "Frisco". Ha ha. Thanks for the panorama. Fantastic."
William Mitchell, USA
5 from 5"The cat is just fine, catching some sun rays & waiting for a bird to land :>) I was born & raised in the Bay Area, now living in NM."
Deborah C King, USA
5 from 5"Really fun to see this view of the bridge thank you.Now about the cat - can the bridge have rats?? Or is the cat simply a tourist....."
Madeleine O'Callaghan, USA
4 from 5"My cousin Jerry sent this amazing video of my favorite spot in the U.S.A...beautiful and creative. Thank you for your skills!"
Grace Ann Scanlon, USA
4 from 5"I suppose the cat feels safer where it is rather than on the bridge dodging cars and trucks! Could someone have put it out there?"
Roy Crittenden
5 from 5"We spent three days in San Francisco on our way home to New Zealand from Europe. Three years would not have been suffcient and this is the one place in the world I would love to return to."
Joe A.
5 from 5"I was born in San Francisco in 1935, I was raised in Oregon, but when I was taken to Oregon in 1940 I was cheated, because even then, I knew my heart will always be in "the city", and the bridge is one of the most exciting structures any one will ever travel on. The work you did on these panoramas is wonderful- thank you for sharing and caring."
Ellen Sparks, USA
"sail under it many times while in the navy. beautiful sight. great memories."
bob lindsay, USA
5 from 5"FOTO FANTASTICA !!! ESTIVEMOS EU E MINHA ESPOSA, NO MES PASSADO, EN SAN FRANCISCO, ESTA LINDA CIDADE QUE JA CONHECIAMOS ANTES. FOMOS A PE ATE A GOLDEN BRIDGE E FICAMOS MARAVILHADOS!!!"
ALMERIO MACHADO, Brazil
5 from 5"I'm I the only one to notice the kitty cat...? Below and to the left of the three gentlemen"
rogertowles towles, USA
5 from 5"Amazing.Thank you for creating such masterpices and sharing it with the world."
SAMUEL M.G, India
5 from 5"I walked across this bridge in 2008, it was awsome apart from nearly being run over by cyclists!. I have since watched the film "The Bridge" factual film about suicides over a year. Very Disturbing.I have a picture hanging in my home now so I see it every day. Magic"
Annie Livingston, United Kingdom
5 from 5"Since I was born and raised in San Francisco and went to St Ignatius'56 this view is outstanding such a beautiful city few can compare. I feel blessed to have been raised in such a great city especially in the 50's."
Bob Barron, USA
5 from 5"I too am a San Franciscan. Born, raised and educated (Lowell High). I now live in New England. There is no place like the city. And those who are fortunate enough to live there should appreciate its sheer beauty. It has an elecricity all its own."
Gary Gansburg, USA
5 from 5"Beautiful - but you really need to tell us about the cat...."
Cecelia Beam
5 from 5"I was born in SF in 1947 & the site of the Golden Gate Bridge always makes me feel like I am home again. The panoramic view was fascinating & I also hope that poor cat was rescued. Were the people standing above aware of the cat? Pat Houge"
Pat Houge, USA
5 from 5"my favorite city in the world!!....please tell me someone rescued that poor cat, Jane"
Jane Futorski, Canada
5 from 5"I was born in San Francisco (1941), and I must say the golden gate bridge always touched my heart."
Frank Cassady, USA
5 from 5"one of my favorite places...been there twice and hope will be there again and again...coz i left my heart in san francisco..."
tess rivera, Philippines
5 from 5"It is a wonderful view in summer,I visited the golden gate bridge at the same time of 2008 May,many flowers there and you can see some sealions."
chi weicong, China
5 from 5"What in the world is that cat doing? Amazing work on all your panoramas."
Edgar LaMance, USA
5 from 5"I was there in 1989..I walked several times through this marvelous bridge..I felt the earthquaker in October, 17..I felt many different sensations..One thing is sure: as the music ..I left my heart in San Francisco!!! ilse maria moraes rego"
ilse rego
"Just one note. It's not the Atlantic Ocean, it's the Pacific Ocean."
Joe Smith
2 from 5"God, I feel like I sohlud be takin notes! Great work"
Norm Norm
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