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.

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!

The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

Drawbridge Openings Schedule, St. Petersburg

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!

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, 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

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.