Ampera Bridge, Vertical-lift bridge in Palembang, Indonesia.
Ampera Bridge crosses the Musi River in Palembang with a total length of around 1,180 meters, resting on nine concrete piers. Two tall towers rise from both riverbanks and support the central section of the structure above the water.
Japan built this crossing between 1962 and 1965 as a reparation project after World War II, replacing earlier ferry services. President Sukarno officially opened the structure in 1965, marking a key moment for the city's infrastructure.
The bridge carries the name Ampera, short for Amanat Penderitaan Rakyat, which translates as "message of the suffering of the people." Locals treat this crossing as a gathering spot in the evening, walking along the lower pedestrian paths and watching boats pass underneath on the river.
You can cross on foot using walkways below the main roadway or drive across the upper deck. Visit during late afternoon or evening when lighting highlights the steel framework and temperatures drop.
The original lifting mechanism was designed to raise the central span for large ships, but engineers disabled this function in the 1970s. They later removed the moving parts and welded the middle segment permanently to the towers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
