Sightseeing

PALACE BRIDGE Of the seven bridges crossing the wide Neva River, the Palace Bridge is renowned for the panoramic views on the Peter-and-Paul Fortress, the Hermitage ensemble, the University embankment and the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, especially during summer months, when the central section composed of two wings at night to allow shipping traffic to pass and White Nights provide tourists with good nighttime photo opportunities. The silhouette of the raised two platforms of the bridge with the thin golden spire of Peter-and-Paul Cathedral rising in the background is one of the landmark views in the city. The first pontoon bridge was built on this site in 828 to a design of engineer Basin, while the construction of the present day Palace Bridge, stretching across the Neva and connecting the Admiralteiskii area of the city with Vasilievsky Island, was planned to the beginning of the 20th century. After reviewing 27 different proposals, a committee awarded the project to the engineer A.Pshenitskiy. It took him 4 years to create the Palace Bridge, which was officially opened to traffic in 1916 though its decorations including the pavilions and lamps were far from complete. 250 meters long and 28 meters wide, this metal drawbridge boasts quite simple design and comprises five separate spans with two of the middle spans opening up at relatively wide angles to allow sea vessels to pass underneath. Nowadays, the Palace Bridge is not only an inseparable part of the majestic architectural ensemble of the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, but also the busiest bridge in the Northern capital - more than 24,000 cars cross the bridge daily.

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