The Egyptian Bridge was the first metal bridge in the history of Russian architecture and town engineering. The cast-iron sphinx sculptures, which sit gracefully on granite pedestals and adorn the bridge's entryways, easily make the bridge one of the most enchanting in the city.
These captivating cast-iron sphinxes are all that remained from the original chain bridge that tragically collapsed into the Fontanka River in 1905. Fortunately, the bank supports and four magnificent sphinxes were salvaged and then used in construction of later Egyptian Bridge, which was completed in 1955 after almost half a century of planning.
At least 17 different plans were reviewed until a plan by architects V. Vasilkovsky and P. Areshev was accepted. The bridge was officially re-opened in 1955.
The new Egyptian Bridge is single-spanned with double-jointed frame and metal welded cross section. It spans the Fontanka River at a slight angle. The bridge boasts railings decorated with quaint rosettes and brackets. The rosettes also adorn the cast-iron obelisks with lamps standing at the entrances to the bridge. The stylish frame above the bridge's arch rises just above the river.
Along with making the stronger and more durable, Vasilkovsky and Areshev also aspired to adore the sturdy framework with beautiful and enchanting Egyptian themes.
The magnificent cast iron sphinxes designed by famous sculptor P. 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.