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How to enjoy St. Petersburg’s famous drawbridges

26 Jan

Drawbridges in St. Petersburg

Imagine this–you’re walking back to your hotel or apartment on one of those famous white nights of St. Petersburg where it never quite gets dark. Your visa-free St. Petersburg trip has been great so far. The city is beautiful, the weather is perfect, but you’re looking to get some well-deserved sleep after a long day of sightseeing. The only problem is, the way to your accommodation seems to be blocked! By what? Well, it’s a section of road, raised almost vertically right in front of your face.

Visa-free St. Peterburg

Congratulations–you’ve come face-to-face with one of St. Petersburg’s famous drawbridges. Almost every night from May to November, 9 to 12 bridges are raised to allow passage of cargo ships from the river Neva to the Gulf of Finland. Some people think this is only for show–to make tourists happy. Not so! There is a real and practical reason to raise St. Petersburg’s drawbridges.

These bridges are unique in the world. Nowhere else is there such a number of bridges that are raised daily. They are truly one of St. Petersburg’s great calling cards.

How to enjoy St. Petersburg’s famous drawbridges

There are a couple of ways to best experience the drawing of the bridges on your visa-free St. Petersburg trip.

The first is to watch from a point on the Palace embankment between the Palace and Troitsky (in English – Trinity) Bridges. These two are probably the most famous and popular of the drawbridges in St. Petersburg. Many people try to see the Palace Bridge drawn up and close, then try to rush to the Troitsky Bridge. But it’s too far away to get there in the time between when the Palace Bridge finishes rising and when the Troitsky starts. Instead, you can park yourself halfway on the Palace embankment in a place where you have a good view of both bridges and enjoy the show without rushing.

Another good viewing spot for the raising of the Palace Bridge is on the “opposite shore,” on the University embankment or on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island.

Who says you have to watch from dry land? Boat trips are available and seeing one of St. Petersburg’s bridges rise from underneath it is an experience unlike any other.

Regardless of what you choose to do on your visa-free St. Petersburg experience, don’t miss out on the raising of these majestic drawbridges! The good thing is that you can witness it from April to November– just over half of the year!

visa-free St. Petersburg

The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

Drawbridge Openings Schedule, St. Petersburg

During navigation period from April till the middle November thirteen bridges that cross the Neva river are opened for a few hours to let large ships pass. Please follow the schedule below to get successfully to your hotel.
Palace Bridge1:10 am-2:50 am
3:10 am-4:55 am
Trinity Bridge1:20 am-4:50 am
Blagoveshchensky Bridge1:25 am-2:45 am
3:10 am-5:00 am
Grenadersky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Kantemirovsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Smpsonievsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Liteiny Bridge1:40 am-4:45 am
Tuchkov Bridge 2:00 am-2:55 am
3:35 am-4:55 am
Volodarsky Bridge 2:00 am-3:45 am
4:15 am-5:45 am
Exchange Bridge2:00 am-4:45 am
Bolsheokhotinsky Bridge 2:00 am-5:00 am
Alexander Nevsky Bridge2:20 am-5:10 am
Finlyandsky Bridge2:20 am-5:30 am

Drawbridge Opening Schedule, St. Petersburg 2019

29 Dec
The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg
The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

Drawbridge Openings Schedule, St. Petersburg

During navigation period from April till the middle November thirteen bridges that cross the Neva river are opened for a few hours to let large ships pass. Please follow the schedule below to get successfully to your hotel.
Palace Bridge1:10 am-2:50 am
3:10 am-4:55 am
Trinity Bridge1:20 am-4:50 am
Blagoveshchensky Bridge1:25 am-2:45 am
3:10 am-5:00 am
Grenadersky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Kantemirovsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Smpsonievsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Liteiny Bridge1:40 am-4:45 am
Tuchkov Bridge 2:00 am-2:55 am
3:35 am-4:55 am
Volodarsky Bridge 2:00 am-3:45 am
4:15 am-5:45 am
Exchange Bridge2:00 am-4:45 am
Bolsheokhotinsky Bridge 2:00 am-5:00 am
Alexander Nevsky Bridge2:20 am-5:10 am
Finlyandsky Bridge2:20 am-5:30 am

When Your Visa Free St. Petersburg Cruise Docks

27 May

Introducing the Famous Bridges of St. Petersburg

With 342 bridges in the grand city of St. Petersburg, it is almost impossible to move through the streets without crossing a bridge. When your visa free St. Petersburg Cruise docks, pay attention to which side of the Neva River you step down upon! According to a set schedule, thirteen of the more sizable bridges are raised nightly for a few hours to let large boats pass; there is no way for cars or pedestrians to travel across the water. Be sure to check the timetable!

Open Timetable

Drawbridge Openings Schedule, St. Petersburg

During navigation period from April till the middle November thirteen bridges that cross the Neva river are opened for a few hours to let large ships pass. Please follow the schedule below to get successfully to your hotel.
Palace Bridge1:10 am-2:50 am
3:10 am-4:55 am
Trinity Bridge1:20 am-4:50 am
Blagoveshchensky Bridge1:25 am-2:45 am
3:10 am-5:00 am
Grenadersky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Kantemirovsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Smpsonievsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Liteiny Bridge1:40 am-4:45 am
Tuchkov Bridge 2:00 am-2:55 am
3:35 am-4:55 am
Volodarsky Bridge 2:00 am-3:45 am
4:15 am-5:45 am
Exchange Bridge2:00 am-4:45 am
Bolsheokhotinsky Bridge 2:00 am-5:00 am
Alexander Nevsky Bridge2:20 am-5:10 am
Finlyandsky Bridge2:20 am-5:30 am

The bridges of St. Petersburg range from picturesque and modest to beautiful and majestic feats of engineering. Look at some superb examples:

On the Neva River

The Palace Bridge is one of the most famous bridges to vault over the Neva River. Dazzling pictures of this bridge grace the albums of every tourist who comes on our visa free St. Petersburg Cruise. The lion sculptures, elaborate railings, and pavilions are an iconic part of the cityscape. Set between Winter Palace and the historic landmarks of Vasilevsky Island, the height of the Palace Bridge was designed to ensure a clear view of the surrounding monuments. Over 30,000 cars traverse this bridge daily, and it is the site of massive traffic jams.

Opened in 1903, the Art Nouveau style Trinity Bridge is elegant and opulent. It features curving cast-iron beams, sculptural streetlamps, and granite obelisks that support two-headed imperial eagles. The name of this bridge pays homage to the Trinity Cathedral, which once stood on the Petrograd side of the river.

The Palace Bridge, visa free St. Petersburg cruise

The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

On the Fontanka River

Built on Nevsky Prospekt, the Anichkov Bridge is best known for the bronze-cast Horse Tamers sculptures that crown all four corners of the structure. A close gaze at the railings will reveal fantastical decorations, such as seahorses and mermaids.

The Horse Tamers, St. Petersburg

The Horse Tamers, St. Petersburg

As you tour Nevsky Prospekt as a part of your visa free St. Petersburg cruise itinerary, it is worthwhile to detour about 300 meters south to view the Lomonosov Bridge, named after the accomplished Russian scholar. This bridge no longer opens for passing sea vessels, yet the delightful Doric pavilions that used to contain the drawbridge controls remain, creating its unique and distinctive silhouette.

On the Winter Canal

The Hermitage Bridge arches over water as the oldest and smallest stone bridge in St. Petersburg – in lovely contrast with the awesome architecture of the bridges already mentioned. Built originally as a wooden drawbridge, this charming structure was rebuilt in 1760 from limestone and brick with a granite façade. As a hallmark in the Hermitage and Winter Palace district, the quaint Hermitage Bridge is a popular focus in countless postcards of St. Petersburg. Take a moment during your visa free St. Petersburg cruise to appreciate the classic view of the Hermitage Bridge from nearby Millionnaya Street.

Travel to St. Petersburg, Russia Visa Free

17 Oct

Russia visa free

Travel to St. Petersburg, a Naval Capital

The residents of St. Petersburg, Russia, lovingly refer to their city as a “naval capital, but with a river mentality”. Most visitors who travel to St. Petersburg, Russia visa free perspectives often expect a wondrous view of the Baltic Sea. The reality is, however, that although St. Petersburg does lie by the sea, you’ll more than likely get caught in the maze of industrial areas before you get to it.

When Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg in 1703, oddly, the city’s construction was directed away from the sea, not towards it. Yet, Peter provided every noble person who relocated to St. Petersburg with a boat, under one stipulation – they were to use it to sail along the city’s rivers. The nobles, however, chose to ignore Peter’s request.

Russian author Andrey Astvatsaturov observed that literature stemming from St. Petersburg rarely references the sea. In fact, it’s hard to even find any information regarding St. Petersburg’s naval heroes. Astvatsaturov feels that the reason for this is that there is not much to say about the sea. It lies dormant – not stormy and fierce, like other seas. With its 60 embankments, St. Petersburg is seven percent water. The total length of its rivers and passages is 28 kilometers.

Reporter Pavel Nikiforov delved into the history of the thousands of wooden pillars along the shores of St. Petersburg. He discovered that everyone who owned a dwelling on the sea was required to fortify the shore with as many pillars as possible, per an order which was signed by Peter the Great in 1715. Knowing the facts about these pillars makes it easier to understand them, as many visitors travel to St. Petersburg just to see them.

It’s a bit surprising to know that St. Petersburg is where yachting all began. The world’s first yacht club, known as “Nevskaya poteshnaya flotiliya” on the Neva River, was also founded by Peter the Great. World-renowned yacht captain, Sergey Timoshkov, is a direct descendant of those first historical yachting captains.

When you travel to St. Petersburg, Russia visa free, you may choose to visit the sandy desert area of Neva River.  In the distance, you can see the port, and possibly a cruise ship or two. Newer apartment complexes are slowly blocking the view. Possibly the only remaining reminders will be those found in St. Petersburg’s crest, which features two anchors – one a river anchor, the other, a sea anchor.

Travel to St. Petersburg

The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

 

Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland

13 Aug

Uspenski Cathedral, Visit Helsinki with Baltic Cruises

Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki

Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland

Uspenski Cathedral stands proudly upon a hillside on the Katajanokka peninsula, overlooking Helsinki. Aleksei Gornostajev designed the building based on the plan of a 16th century Russian church. The grand structure was completed in 1868. In tribute to the building’s rich history, a plaque hangs on the back of the cathedral to commemorate Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Finland during the construction. The cathedral underwent significant renovations in 1996-1998 and is currently the seat of the Archdiocese of Helsinki in the Finnish Orthodox Church.

As a magnificent display of the Romanesque Revival style, the Uspenski Cathedral attracts about 500,000 people yearly from around the globe. It is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, commanding attention with its brick-red exterior, gold and green onion domes, and massive granite pillars. The 13 domes represent Christ and the twelve apostles. Within the striking interior, visitors are awed by various icons and decorations, such as the glimmering chandeliers suspended from the ceiling vaults.

Entrance to Uspenski Cathedral is free of charge. It is open every day of the week – excluding Mondays during the winter. However, because it is closed during ceremonies, our company is advised to confirm the hours in advance. Accessibility via wheelchair is limited, except in the summer when a temporary ramp is erected.

Visit Nordic Cruises today to discover how you can travel to Helsinki, Finland to see this historic gem in person. Why not add in a cruise from Helsinki to Petersburg for the ultimate trip.