Bridges and Waterways
1. Trinity Bridge
Opened in 1903 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of St Petersburg, Trinity Bridge is one of the most beautiful of the city’s 800 bridges. It consists of ten arches and elegant Style-Moderne lamp posts.
2. Griboedov Canal
This canal, stretching 5 km (3 miles) through the very centre of the city, is crossed by 21 bridges. It was constructed in 1739 to move cargo from Sennaya ploshchad, and named after the Russian playwright and diplomat, Alexander Griboedov.
3. Bridge Passage
Linking the junction of the Griboedov Canal and the Moyka river, the Bridge Passage (1829–31) is a cleverly constructed piece of architecture. Consisting of the Malo-Konyushenny and Theatre bridges, and designed to give the impression of a single bridge, the Bridge Passage contains beautiful metal railings and lamp posts.
4. Anichkov Bridge
The three-span Anichkov Bridge (1839–41) is noteworthy for its evocative bronze statues of men taming wild horses. Designed by the Russian sculptor Pyotr Klodt, the statues symbolize man’s taming of the forces of Mother Nature. When viewed in an anti-clockwise direction, the wild horses seem to steadily become domesticated.
5. Lomonosov Bridge
Notable for its curious stone turrets, this bridge is named in honour of the Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov (1711–65). Built between 1785 and 1787, the bridge’s granite towers were originally used to house its opening mechanism. When the bridge was rebuilt in 1912, the towers, having become a landmark, were left in place.
6. Bank Bridge
Dating from 1825–6, this pleasant pedestrian bridge is less than 2 m (7 ft) wide. It is famous throughout Russia for its four gold-winged griffins, created by Russian sculptor Pavel Sokolov. Seated in eternal contemplation of the waters below, they also serve to hold up the bridge’s cables.
7. Egyptian Bridge
This splendid bridge dates from 1955. The current structure replaced the 19th-century original, which collapsed into the Fontanka in 1905 when a large cavalry squadron was passing by. The magnificent sphinxes that adorn the bridge were salvaged from the original bridge, as were the bank supports.
8. Lion Bridge
The two pairs of proud lions on Lion Bridge, a Pavel Sokolov creation, date from 1825–6. This was one of the city’s earliest pedestrian suspension bridges, and is today a popular place for romantic meetings.
9. Blagoveshchenskiy Bridge
This elegant bridge, which has also been known as the Nicholas Bridge and the Lieutenant Shmidt Bridge since its construction in 1850, was the first permanent crossing over the Neva river. The bridge retains its original, intricate cast-iron sea horse and trident railings, designed by Aleksandr Bryullov. Offering great views across the Admiralty and Universitet embankments, this is one of the city’s most historic bridges, and a local favourite (for further details see Blagoveshchenskiy Bridge).
10. Winter Canal
The narrowest waterway in the city, the Winter Canal is, nonetheless, one of its most picturesque. Constructed in 1718–20, this stretch of water is crossed by three bridges, and by the Hermitage’s Theatre Foyer. Namechecked in Pushkin’s “Queen of Spades”, the Winter Canal, particularly beautiful on a freezing winter’s day, is yet another favourite for romantic trysts.
