St. Petersburg's drawbridges: from history to the present day

If you think St. Petersburg is just the Hermitage, rain, and white nights, you are gravely mistaken. The main characters here are the bridges. As one resident wittily noted: "St. Petersburg is built on a swamp, but stands on bridges." Today the city has more than 465 of them. Drawbridges, pedestrian bridges, automobile bridges, railway bridges. And each one is not just an engineering structure, but a living witness to history, a keeper of legends, and a key point of attraction for millions of tourists.

St. Petersburg's bridges define the city's appearance. From the first permanent Annunciation Bridge to the modern Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge — each has its own history and features. And the nightly bridge opening is not only a necessity for ships to pass, but also a popular spectacle that draws thousands of viewers.

Why bridge opening is worth seeing from a boat

St. Petersburg is a city where engineering genius intertwines with the poetry of water. And no phenomenon symbolizes this as vividly as the bridge opening. But to truly feel this, you need to abandon land-based observations and go out onto the waters of the Neva.

Want to hear how the winches of Trinity Bridge creak, or see the sunset reflections on the granite of Annunciation Bridge? Don't read reports — rent a boat. St. Petersburg reveals itself only to those who are ready to look at it from the water.

Voyage under St. Petersburg's drawbridges

Five reasons to say "Yes!" to a water cruise

1. Panorama vs fragment
From the embankment you see only the raised wings of one bridge. From the water opens a theater of shadows and lights. The silhouettes of Palace, Trinity, Annunciation bridges, illuminated by spotlights, create a multi-layered picture. It's like comparing watching a single scene from a ballet versus an entire performance with changing sets.

2. The dynamics of passage
You can feel the power of Palace Bridge's 600-ton wings only by passing under them on a boat, when steel structures hang a meter above your head. The sound of working hydraulic systems, the wind from the descending spans — this is an extreme attraction available only from the water.

3. Angles unavailable to pedestrians
For example, Exchange Bridge from the water reveals an optical illusion. Its raised wings perfectly frame the spire of Peter and Paul Fortress. From land this effect is not visible. And Bolsheokhtinsky with its Gothic towers resembles a drawbridge of a medieval castle only when viewed from below.

4. Historical authenticity
St. Petersburg was built as a maritime capital. Views of the Winter Palace, Rostral Columns, and Peter and Paul Fortress open up precisely from a ship's deck. Looking at bridges from the water means returning to the origins of the city's perspective.

5. Practicality
No need to rush between embankments, afraid of being late for the next bridge opening. The boat takes you along a planned route, while the guide comments on details in real time.

Trip under drawbridges

A daily celebration! We're going to watch the drawbridges and admire the beautifully illuminated night city Booking

How bridges were built in St. Petersburg

Peter the Great dreamed of a "Russian Venice," dreamed of citizens moving around the city in yawls, boats, and small ships. But don't believe it when they say he didn't like bridges and forbade their construction! There were no bridges simply because such complex structures in such difficult conditions as turbulent river currents and swampy shores were simply not yet known how to build. But they were learning. Those bridges we see now are the result of creative engineering activity of many generations of bridge builders and architects.

The first bridge in St. Petersburg's history can be considered a small and shaky pontoon bridge over which the builders of the fortress on Hare Island carried earth. Now we know it as Ioannovsky Bridge. It spans the Kronwerk Strait and connects Hare Island and Petrograd Island.

Ioannovsky Bridge Source: © Alex 'Florstein' Fedorov

The city grew, the population increased, and reliable transport links between the islands were needed. Bridge builders turned to military experience. River crossings over the Dnieper in Russia were known as early as 1115. The supports for such bridges were barges, pontoons, boats, over which span structures were laid. Such bridges were called pontoon or ponton bridges. They were erected quickly and anywhere. But they could not withstand the pressure of ice and were dismantled during ice drift periods.

The first pontoon bridge was Isaakievsky, erected in 1727 across the Great Neva, near the present Senate Square. But its life was short, it stood for only one summer and was dismantled.

They say it was dismantled after the confiscation of A. Menshikov's palace. They were afraid that it would be convenient to transport something from the empty palace via the bridge.

Isaakievsky pontoon bridge Source: wikipedia.org

While they were inventing and devising large bridges across the Neva, the construction of small ones was in full swing. These were bridges over rivers and canals. They were not durable. Not always graceful and beautiful. They were simply crossings from one bank to another. Credit must be given to the bridge builders, they still tried to somehow decorate the bridges. They painted wooden beam structures to look "like stone." Or painted them in different colors. This is how the Red, Yellow, Blue and Green bridges appeared. Despite subsequent reconstructions, the colored bridges kept their names.

The exception is the Yellow Bridge. It did not preserve its name. There's some confusion with it in general. According to some sources, Singers Bridge was previously Yellow, according to others — Khrapovitsky Bridge. And maybe both were generously painted in cheerful yellow color. After all, St. Petersburg lacks sunshine so much!

The rivers and canals of St. Petersburg were always navigable. Bridges should never interfere with this. They had to let ships pass. Therefore, even the first pontoon bridges had drawbridge spans. But opening them took several hours. The best engineering minds of Russia thought about solving the Neva–bridge–ship problem. And they found solutions. The Neva remained a free river, bridges were erected, ships passed unhindered.

Interestingly, the authors of most bridge projects were predominantly officers of the Corps of Transport Engineers and the Corps of Mining Engineers.

Although St. Petersburg is called "northern Venice," it is still a city of bridges, not gondolas. It can safely be called the world capital of bridge construction.

St. Petersburg is also a city-museum of bridges, where each "exhibit" has a unique structural solution, its own secrets and myths.

The main drawbridges of St. Petersburg

Today, 18 drawbridges are thrown across the Neva, 12 of them regularly participate in the nightly "ballet" of wings rising above the Neva.

Palace Bridge (1916)

Palace Bridge

A symbol of St. Petersburg, connecting Vasilievsky Island with Palace Embankment. Its cast iron spans against the background of Peter and Paul Fortress are the city's calling card. It took 5 years to build. On testing day, they loaded 34 trucks with cargo of more than 600 poods each. The bridge held up, technically it was ready for operation. But the architectural design, pompous and magnificent, was not implemented due to the war. The bridge was decorated only in 1939. Therefore, the railings have Soviet stars, not tsarist eagles. In summer, the drawbridge section is used as a screen for light shows.

Technical specs. Five-span, metal, two-wing, opening type. Weight of each wing — 700 tons. Opening cycle takes 5 minutes. Illuminated by 28 lanterns. One of the most complex not only in Russia, but also abroad.

View from water. When the bridge wings slowly rise, a "vista" to the Spit of Vasilievsky Island with the Rostral Columns and Stock Exchange building opens before you. From the water, the illumination of the spans and the panorama of the Winter Palace reflected in the Neva are particularly spectacular. Perfect symmetry of the wings against the Hermitage background.

They say if you make a wish when the bridge wings soar upward, it will come true. The main thing is not to get confused in your wishes.

Annunciation Bridge (1850)

Annunciation Bridge Source: © Sergpavl

The first permanent bridge across the Neva. At the time of opening, it was the longest in Europe (331 m). The railings were made according to sketches by A. Bryullov, the elder brother of Karl Bryullov. In 1918–2007 it bore the name "Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge." For the time of major repairs in 2005-2007, a duplicate bridge was built, which people called "son of Lieutenant Schmidt."

Technical specs. Eight-span, two-wing, opening system. Originally opened horizontally (40 minutes). Now the opening is hydraulic, pavilions for mechanics are installed right on the bridge.

View from water. Cast iron railings with mythical hippocamps (sea horses with fish tails) are especially spectacular during close passage. The bridge's drawbridge spans rise twice per night, opening a view of St. Isaac's Cathedral. The most "historical" angle! From the water you can see the legendary cruiser "Aurora" standing at the right bank, and the stern outline of the Admiralty. The bridge is lit by golden lights, and its cast iron railings with ornaments are clearly visible when approaching.

On October 24, 1917, by order of the Provisional Government, the bridge was opened and placed under guard by cadets. On the morning of October 25, the cruiser "Aurora" dropped anchor at the bridge supports. The blank shot that became the signal for the storming of the Winter Palace was made literally ten meters from the bridge.

Trinity Bridge (1903)

Trinity Bridge during the "Scarlet Sails" holiday, 2019 Source: © Kora27

Interestingly, Gustave Eiffel's project (yes, that same one) was rejected and they chose the economical option from the "Batignolles" company. The bridge turned out magnificent: candelabra, arches, double-headed eagles. Nicholas II personally pressed the button during the first opening. In 1936 the eagles were replaced with stars. During the latest reconstruction, the eagles were returned.

Technical specs. Ten-span, opening system with single-wing drawbridge span. Although originally it was two-wing and opened horizontally. In 1965-1967 they conducted reconstruction and Trinity Bridge's wing rises like all the others.

View from water. From the boat you can see a rare angle of Mars Field and Summer Garden through the arches, and in perspective — the silhouette of Peter and Paul Fortress. The bridge raises only one span, and from the water this looks like the wing beat of a giant bird. In spring and autumn, when there are no white nights, red illumination is turned on, creating dramatic contrast with the dark Neva. Trinity Bridge is the only one that opens for the passage of the sailing ship during the graduates' festival "Scarlet Sails."

"Under Trinity Bridge Chkalov flew" — says the legend. And this is indeed a legend. Chkalov didn't fly under Trinity Bridge. But pilots G.A. Fride and Alexei Evgrafov back in 1916 did fly not only under Trinity Bridge, but under all bridges across the Neva. In 1940, stunt pilot Borisenko repeated the trick for a film about Chkalov.

Liteiny Bridge (1879)

Liteiny Bridge Source: spb-mosty.ru

The second permanent bridge. Decorated with 500 railing sections with mermaids and the city's coat of arms. The world's first permanent bridge with electric lighting. It had lanterns installed with P. Yablochkov's "electric candles."

Technical specs. Six-span. Record holder for single-wing span mass — 3,325 tons. Rises at a 67° angle over the deepest part of the Neva (25 m). Initially the bridge was operated by a crew of eight people. Later they installed a water turbine connected to the city water supply.

View from water. Night illumination transforms the bridge into a shining arch. Reflecting in the water, it creates a "double bridge," enhancing the romantic effect. In the distance you can see the cruiser "Aurora."

Earlier, even before St. Petersburg, there was a river crossing at this place and a route from Russia to Sweden passed through here.

Exchange Bridge (1894)

Exchange Bridge Source: © Monoklon

Construction of the bridge became possible only after the Commercial Port was moved from the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. This was one of the last wooden bridges with a drawbridge span. In 1957-1960, the existing metal arch bridge was built. An engineering wonder. The only one in the world with a rolling-opening system. During the 2020 reconstruction, a time capsule with a message to descendants was placed as a counterweight to the drawbridge wing. The capsule also contained a clock by which mechanics synchronized the time for bridge opening and closing.

Technical specs. Five-span. Middle span is drawbridge, two-wing, rolling-opening system. The spans don't just rise. The wings roll back on rails by 15 cm to shift the center of gravity. This technology has no analogues in the world.

View from water. The most impressive panorama of the Neva, Palace Embankment and Peter and Paul Fortress.

Exchange Bridge often "plays" the role of Palace Bridge in films. The bridges are very similar. And it's easier to block Exchange Bridge during filming than Palace Bridge. In the film "The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia," a steamship passes under the bridge while Andrei Mironov hangs from the bridge wing.

Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge (1911)

Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge Source: c1.35photo.pr

For a very long time, the only way to cross to the other shore at this location was by boat ferry. Although a bridge project had existed for a long time, construction kept being postponed. The boat lobby didn't benefit from a bridge. And only after a tragic incident, when the steamship "Arkhangelsk" collided with an ice floe, sank and people died, did construction of the Okhta Bridge begin. Now this openwork giant with lighthouse towers, where the bridge opening mechanisms are housed, is not only a decoration of the Neva, but also a filming location for many movies, especially historical ones.

Technical specs. Three-span. With a drawbridge two-wing span of opening system in the middle, and two spans on the sides. Side spans are covered by arch trusses with the roadway at the bottom of the arches. The drawbridge mechanism allows the bridge wings to open in 30 seconds.

View from water. Night illumination transforms it into a "medieval castle over the Neva." Similar in silhouette to Tower Bridge in London. And the view of the opened bridge wings and illuminated domes of Smolny — a classic St. Petersburg contrast of baroque and industrial style.

Metal structures are connected with 2 million rivets. Rumors say that one is golden, painted to look "like steel." Treasure hunters have been searching for it for decades. So far unsuccessfully.

Want to see how lions wink at their reflection in the water, and the gold of rivets glows in the sunset? Book our individual voyages! Our Courier Guides know where the secrets are hidden. And yes — we recommend bringing an umbrella. St. Petersburg also loves surprises.

Tips for the perfect water trip

1. Choose format according to your mood:
- Romance with candles and blankets
- Party with champagne and music
- History with a guide

2. Catch the "double session":
Some bridges open twice per night. Palace Bridge starts first

3. Dress Petersburg-style:
Yes, even in summer the wind from the Neva chills you to the bone. Bring a windbreaker, beanie hat and thermos with tea — a night on the water lasts 2-3 hours.

4. Be careful with selfies:
Listen to the captain, he always knows interesting and safe spots.

Favorite quotes from the captain

"Bridge opening is not a quarrel, but choosing the best point for meeting." Check the schedule — bridges are punctual like Prussian officers.
"Don't fall for stereotypes! Not all bridges open!" Only 12 out of 400 open. The rest remain faithful to pedestrians day and night.
"Bridges aren't burned — they're opened." In St. Petersburg even conflicts are resolved elegantly.
"I feel like a bridge in St. Petersburg: they open me up, but I hold firm!"

Navigation season and schedule

Every year from April to November the Neva comes alive. Every night from April to November, giant bridge wings soar over the Neva. Bridge opening happens at strictly established times. Bridges over the Bolshaya Nevka (Sampsonievsky, Grenadiersky, Kantemirovsky) are opened upon prior request submitted 48 hours in advance.

Bridge opening schedule for 2025 Source: mostotrest-spb.ru

But bridges can close earlier than scheduled if all ships have passed. Sometimes bridges are opened during the day.

This happens:
▪︎ on Navy Day
▪︎ on River Fleet Workers' Day
▪︎ on the day of the graduates' festival "Scarlet Sails"

Bridges don't open:
▪︎ when wind speed exceeds 15 m/secin severe frost
▪︎ during high water levels
▪︎ during bridge repairs

The current bridge opening schedule can be seen on the website: Mostotrest-SPb.

St. Petersburg's drawbridges are not just infrastructure. They are the city's rhythm, its breathing. Each wing lift is a theatrical gesture, where the Neva is the stage and boats are the front-row spectators. Having seen this unity of engineering, water and light, you will understand why Fyodor Dostoevsky called St. Petersburg "the most abstract and intentional city on earth." St. Petersburg is a city where even the separation of shores becomes poetry.

Tamara Zakharova - author of the article
In love with St. Petersburg. With its white nights and rains, cafes and bookshops, Palace Square and Lakhta Center. With its past and present. I love learning something new about the city every day and sharing it with everyone.