THE BRIDGES OF ST PETERSBURG

Данилова О.В.

THE BRIDGES OF ST PETERSBURGDuring Peter’s reign, there were no bridges over the Neva. The Emperor wanted the people of Petersburg, to their dismay, to share his passion for sailing, thrus riverboats were the common from to Transport. Peter even made it a tradition to take his retinue out in rowing and salling boats. Only in the mid-19th century were they finally replaced with permanent bridges made of metal.

Each of Petersburg’s bridges has its own distinctive structure and appearance. They are humpbacked and elegant, large and small, subtle and imposing. Their decorative wrought iron railings and lamps, coupled with the face of the city a charming and inimitable look. At either end of small pedestrian Lion Bridge sit two pairs of enormous lions(2.23 meters high). In their half open jaws they hold the wrought iron rings and thick steel cables that support this striking suspension bridge.

THE ANICHKOV BRIDGEBuilt at Peter I’s behest in 1715,the Anichkov Bridge was one of the first bridges in Petersburg. The principal feature of the bridge is the sculptural ensemble known as “The Taming of the Horse”. It was the Sculptor himself who suggested that the Statues be placed on the Anichkov Bridge. Only two components of the original bronze sculptural group (1841) were installed: the remaing figures fasing Liteiny Prospect, were substituted with painted plaster models since, by order of Nickolas I, the bronze originals were sent to Beerlin as a gift for the king of Prussia.

When the sculptor cast a second set in bronze, these too were sent abroad, this time to Naples. Later, in 1848, Klodt created two New groups, different to their predecessors, For the vacant pedestals on the bridge.