People realized the invaluable benefits of primitive bridges in ancient times when they threw tree trunks from one side of the river to another. Later, logs began to be laid on stone supports, and the peoples of the Inca civilization used rope bridges - the first prototypes of modern suspension bridges. The Middle Ages gave the world many beautiful stone bridges. The first metal constructions appeared in the 18th century. Bridges were laid across rivers and lakes. They connected cities and made the roads less crowded. It is quite difficult nowadays to surprise anyone with a bridge, unless it is a bridge between different countries, along which citizens of one country can easily move to another in search of the right product in a store or just for the sake of relaxation and pleasure. There are few such constructions in the world and almost all of them have the same name - the Friendship Bridge.

The Friendship Bridge in Paraguay was built in the city of Ciudad del Este in 1965. It connects the Paraguayan city with Brazil. The decision to build the largest arch bridge in the world was made back in 1956, almost ten years before its inauguration. It took the renowned architect José Paulo Rodriguez De Almeida Leite just a few months to create a fantastic project of a reinforced concrete giant over 500 meters long and 53 meters high. It was intended for pedestrians and cars, and its carriageway was separated from the sidewalks by a metal fence for safety reasons. Moreover, all pedestrian sidewalks were equipped with protective awnings from the sun and heavy rains. The opening was attended by the former leaders of both countries - President of Paraguay Alfredo Stroessner and President of Brazil Umberto Castelu Branco.

Today, the Friendship Bridge is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Ciudad del Este. Crowds of tourists take daily walks across the famous bridge that connects the two countries. What is more, the economies of cities on both sides of the Parana River flourished thanks to it.