Bridges

The city of Saint Petersburg is often referred as "Northern Venice" or "Russian Amsterdam". Founded in the delta of Neva river it is spread all over numerous island of varying size. All these islands are connected with each other by the system of the bridges. Saint Petersburg is famous as an "open-air" museum of bridge engineering. Expressive silhouettes of the bridges and majestic currents create unique architectural ensembles. All of the city's bridges are great monuments of architectural art. During the summer, early autumn and late spring drawbridges across the Neva river open up at night to allow big vessels to pass through.

Bankovsky Bridge This bridge is recognized by cast-iron figures of fantastic mythological griffins. Its construction successfully combines engineering skills with excellent artistic decoration and represents some of the highest architectural qualities in early 19th century bridge building. The bridge's name comes from the neighboring building, which formerly housed the State Bank.
Egyptian Bridge It was the first metal bridge in the history of Russian architecture and town engineering. The cast-iron sphinx sculptures easily make the bridge one of the most enchanting in the city. The magnificent sphinxes designed by famous sculptor Sokolov sit on granite pedestals near each corner of the bridge providing even more justification for calling Saint Petersburg the open-air museum of bridges.
Bolsheokhtinskiy Bridge The unusual look of this bridge is marked by massive 136-meter long arched girder contours that sharply contrast with surrounding buildings. Impressive granite towers each end of the elevating span are two other important features of the unique bridge. In fact, the design of the bridge is reminiscent of several railroad bridges, which span across the countryside far from the city.
Lions Bridge The construction of this bridge with shining gold chains linking the Lions sculptures on each end of it provides an especially powerful artistic impression. Their iron figures are painted in marble imitating colors. The construction was also innovative in its time because the bridge's support was ingeniously hidden in the metal carcasses of the four white cast-iron lions.
Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge This majestic bridge offers fine panoramic views of the city's historical center with Admirality building, St. Isaak's Cathedral and University Embankments. The bridge is named after famous Russian Black Sea Naval Fleet Lieutenant Pyotr Schmidt who was shot for organizing an uprising at the Russian seaport of Sevastopol in 1905. A memorial in his honor hangs on the wall of the pavilion near the central part of the bridge.
Alexander Nevsky Bridge The Alexander Nevsky Bridge was built in the 1960s in order to connect Malaya Okhta region with the rest of the city by the highway. The bridge was named in honor of famous Russian Duke of Novgorod Alexander Nevsky whose troops defeated the Swedes on the Neva banks. This modern with simple design bridge is the longest one in Saint Petersburg. It's a good example of Soviet architecture and bridge engineering.
Palace Bridge Palace Bridge is probably the most famous one due to the spectacular view it creates while drawing up at White nights and in the early morning hours. It is 250 meters long and 28 meters wide. The Palace Bridge is the busiest in the Northern capital of Russia. The silhouette of two raised bridge platforms is one of the landmark views of the city and is really worth seeing.
Lomonosov bridge The bridge, located along the axis of Lomonosov Street, was constructed in 1785-1787. Originally Lomonosov bridge was a part of seven bridges system. Today, it is the one of only three bridges (the others are Anichkov and Staro-Kalinkin), which have survived from that period. These bridges with typical silhouettes of the arches and opened towers form the significant architectural ensemble on Fontanka river.
Anitchkov Bridge It was the first bridge that has crossed the Fontanka River. It combines a strict and simple form with a high artistic and unique decoration. In addition to the famous sculpture group, the bridge also features one of the most beautiful celebrated ornate iron railings in Saint Petersburg. The bridge is an especially popular attraction of Nevsky Prospect.
Blue Bridge Famous Blue Bridge over the Moyka river is the widest bridge in the world. Its width is 97.3 meters. It is an important part of the St. Isaac's square architectural ensemble. This unique bridge was built in the early 19th century. One of its most distinguished features is that it spans the historic Moika River with the same width as neighboring St. Isaac's square and is almost three times as wide as it is long.
Troitsky Bridge This bridge creates a harmonious architectural ensemble with embankments and squares on the both sides of Neva. Built according to the plan of French firm "Batinol building society" it somehow gives Saint Petersburg a slightly French look. Another interesting feature of the drawbridge is the system of arcades, which ingeniously blend in with the granite parapets of the Petrovsky embankment.