10 most beautiful bridges in
St. Petersburg
(part 2)
In total, more than 300 bridges span over numerous rivers, canals, lakes and ponds of St. Petersburg, so it is impossible to get to know the city without getting acquainted with the bridges of the Northern Venice. Almost all of the parade crossings were built in the city center, close to the main attractions. But fascinating constructions can also be seen, if you turn aside from the usual tourist routes. St. Petersburg 4u offers its version of the 10 most beautiful bridges in St. Petersburg, the city on the Neva river.
Lions Bridge
Lions Bridge
Lions Bridge is a fifteen minute walk from the Bank Bridge. Along with its neighbor, this small bridge has become one of the most famous bridges in St. Petersburg that span over the Griboedov canal. It was opened the same year as the Bank Bridge, and the sculptures that decorate the bridge were also carved by the talented sculptor Sokolov. The similarities don’t end there – as well as the griffins, lions were raised not only for the sake of beauty. Their figures hide cast iron parts of the bridge supports, united by chains that lions hold in their mouths.
But if the Bank Bridge is according to a legend responsible for resolving financial problems, the Lions Bridge is usually included in walking routes due to its unique romantic atmosphere. And in addition to its fascinating appearance, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama from the bridge ‒ it is situated right at the spot where canal starts to bend, and therefore you’ll find yourself in a very convenient viewing point. Once the Germans were so impressed by the Lions Bridge that in 1838 they erected its reduced wooden copy on the territory of the Berlin Tiergarten (Central Park in Berlin).
«Some of the locals will certainly assure you that the name comes from the name Anya, gently – Anichka.»
Anichkov Bridge
Anichkov Bridge
Anichkov Bridge is another recognized symbol of St. Petersburg. Some of the locals will certainly assure you that the name comes from the name Anya, gently – Anichka. In fact, one of the most famous bridges in St. Petersburg got its name after Lieutenant Colonel-engineer Mikhail Anichkov, whose battalions during the reign of Peter I were located in a settlement near the Fontanka river.
This bridge is famous for four sculptures of horse tamers by Peter Clodt. When you pass this bridge, note that the horses that are turned to the Admiralty have horseshoes on their hooves, while the sculptures that are looking towards Vosstaniya square have no horseshoes. This can be explained by the fact that in the XVIII century the foundries and the forges were situated on the Foundry (Liteiny) prospect. So it comes out quite logical: already heeled horses «go» out of the forges while unshod ones are facing Liteiny prospect.
Trinity Bridge
Trinity (Troitsky) bridge
The bridge was built in order to connect Troitskaya and Suvorovskaya squares in front of the Mars Field.
This project was approved by Nicholas II in 1897 and, among others, had a great political value. During the visit of Nicholas II to France in 1896 the crossing over the Seine in Paris was laid and it was called by the name of Alexander III. As a reciprocal gesture, in 1897 when Felix Faure, the president of France, arrived in St. Petersburg with a return visit, he took part in the ceremony of laying the Trinity Bridge. It is known that both the president and the emperor put coins into the bridge support so perhaps they are still there. However, it was decided not to name the bridge in honor of the French president, so the bridge received its name from the Trinity Cathedral, which was destroyed later in 1932.
The interesting fact is that, in comparison to other bridges in St. Petersburg, the middle of the Trinity Bridge is very easy to detect, as the ornament of the fence changes tilt direction at this point.