Saint Petersburg And Its Bridges, Another Way Of Seeing The City

Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Russia, it is located to the northwest, in the delta of the Neva River and on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. 

Hundreds of bridges within the city have been built over the centuries to connect the islands with each other. Bridges that dominate the landscape, give it a unique beauty,  provide fundamental importance in the urban structure and layout  and make up a significant part of its historical-artistic heritage.

The bridges of St. Petersburg

From the most modern to the oldest, in Saint Petersburg there are bridges of all kinds : small, elegantly decorated and curious bridges; bridges decorated with statues, artistic details, and elegant lanterns; large bridges and 22 drawbridges, considered one of the symbols of this beautiful city.

Bridges of the river Moika

Blue bridge

It is the widest bridge in the city, at  97.3 meters. It is between the Mariinsky Palace (Legislative Assembly) and the equestrian monument of Tsar Nicholas I.

Pévchesky Bridge (Singing Bridge)

The Pévchesky (Singing) bridge is located next to the Palace Square, it is the third widest bridge in the city. It is 73 meters wide and 24 meters long.

Bridge of Kisses

The first wooden bridge in this place appeared in the year 1738. Then 2 new cast iron bridges have been built. There are many legends linked to this bridge, they say that sailors and prisoners from a nearby jail said goodbye and that lovers secretly met there.

Bridges of the Fontanka River

Anichkov Bridge

Lomonosov Bridge

7 identical bridges were built on the Fontanka River in the years 1785-1788. They had the lifting mechanisms hidden in their 4 towers. Now there are only two left, the Lomonosov and the Staro-Kalinkin bridge and the lifting mechanism is decorative.

Pantaleón Bridge

The Pantaleon Bridge was the first Russian chain bridge (1823-1824), it was rebuilt in 1907 after the Egyptian bridge collapsed while a battalion of soldiers crossed it. It is decorated in the imperial style, with golden double-headed eagles on laurel wreaths.

Griboedov Canal Bridges

Bank Bridge

This pedestrian bridge is the narrowest in the city (1.85 m) and one of the most beautiful and well-known. It is located next to the Kazan Cathedral and Nevsky Avenue.

The bridge was built between the years 1825-1826 according to the project of the German architect Wilhelm Von Treitteur. This bridge is famous for the 4 sculptures of griffons with golden wings.

Bridge of the Lions

It is a narrow and suspended bridge, adorned with the 4 figures of lions that support it. It was built in 1826 and was also the work of the architect Wilhelm Von Treitteur and the sculptor Pavel Sokolov.

It is located in the “Dostoevsky neighborhood”, a very quiet and romantic area, close to the St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Mariinsky theater. Period films are often shot here, because it retains its century-old vibe.

Stone bridge

This bridge crosses the Griboedov canal on Gorójovaya Street and was one of the first bridges made of stone, in 1778.

Pikalov Bridge

The Pikalov Bridge is considered one of the most romantic and beautiful bridges in Saint Petersburg and is located in the historic Kolomna neighborhood. This bridge, together with the Krasnogvardeisky and Staro-Nikolsky bridges form an architectural monument.

From it a wonderful view opens to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas and you can see the 7 other bridges : Mogilióvsky, Krasnogvardeisky, Novo-Nikolsky by the Griboedov canal and the Smezhny, Staro-Nikolsky, Kashin and Torgovy bridges by the canal of Kriukov.

Winter canal bridges

Hermitage Bridge

The Winter Canal is located between the Moika and Neva rivers just east of the Hermitage. It is crossed by the Winter and Hermitage bridges, forming one of the most poetic, romantic and Venetian corners of Saint Petersburg. The Hermitage Bridge is the oldest granite bridge in the city.

Saint Petersburg is a unique city, in which its life and history revolve around its wonderful bridges. Romantic, beautiful and charming, it is a city worth visiting.