Anitchkov Bridge

It was the first bridge that has crossed the Fontanka River. It combines a strict and simple form with a high artistic and unique decoration. In addition to the famous sculpture group, the bridge also features one of the most beautiful celebrated ornate iron railings in St. Petersburg. In 1715-1716, according to the edict of Peter the Great, colonel M. Anitchkov built a first wooden joist bridge there. As the city grew and river navigation increased the necessity of a new drawbridge became obvious. So in 1784-85 the bridge was rebuilt. Anitchkov Bridge became one of seven stone three-span drawbridges with towers built across the Fontanka River in the late 18th century. Nowadays Anitchkov, Lomonosov and Stary Kalinkin Bridges are the only three bridges left from that period. But by the 1840's the construction of the bridge became unsuitable again because of the growing amount of traffic passing city's main street - Nevsky Prospect. During 1841-1842 another bridge with design that we know today was constructed under the guidance of three engineers A. Gotman, A. Reder and I. Buttaz. This stone bridge with three spans was closed off with gently sloping arches. The massive cast-iron fencing with bas-reliefs sea horses and mermaids was designed by famous Russian architect A.P. Bryullov. Anitchkov Bridge plays an important role in the architectural history of St. Petersburg, because it was one of the first objects that combined a strict and simple form with more ornate and higher artistic decorations. However, the bridge's arches were a continual source of problems and in 1906-1908 it had to be improved once again. The bridge is famous mostly for its sculptural group called "Man taming the horse". The sculptures of men taming raging horses were created by sculptor baron Peter Klodt and late have become one of the most well known landmarks of the city. These sculptural groups molded in bronze were placed on the bridge in 1841. During World War II the sculptures were taken down from their platforms and sheltered from German artillery and bombings in the Pioneer Palace garden. Anitchkov Bridge, especially its ornate molded fencing, suffered serious damage during the war but was restored. The bridge was and still is an especially popular attraction of Nevsky Prospect. It is also a very popular subject for historical illustrations and paintings.