St. Petersburg has many epithets associated with its natural and city-forming features. One of them is the name Venice of the North. And there is more than one confirmation of this. For example, the fact that a huge number of bridges are thrown across its numerous rivers and canals: different in design features and unique in design. One of them is the bridge across the Griboedov Canal with unique images of griffins as functional and decorative elements.
History of the Bank Bridge
In St. Petersburg, this pedestrian bridge was thrown over the Griboyedov Canal in 1826. The authorship of the project belongs to the engineers V. Tretter and V. Khristianovich. And the decision to build a bridge in the chosen place is connected with the need to ensure a crossing over the canal to the entrance to the Assignation Bank, which was previously located in an old building on the canal embankment, where the Bank Bridge is now located - at the address: Griboyedov Canal Embankment, houses 27-30. In addition, the bridge connects two central islands - Kazansky andSpassky, combining two sections of the historical center of the city into a single territory.
The construction was planned to be completed in the year of the laying - 1825, but the process was delayed due to the untimely casting of cast-iron structures for the structure at the Charles Byrd plant.
Gradually, the Bank Bridge in St. Petersburg fell into disrepair, and parts of it were replaced with cheaper ones that violated the historical conformity with the project. Therefore, in 1949, during the restoration work, it was decided to return the Bank Bridge to its original appearance. Restoration work at this stage was completed by 1997. But in view of the committed act of vandalism in 2009, when the gilding was scraped off the wings of the newly restored griffins, the damaged elements of the bridge had to be restored again. And in 2015, it was decided to replace the wooden flooring on the Bank Bridge.
Myths and legends
According to one of the St. Petersburg legends, the figures of griffins can bring financial well-being in case of performing certain ritual actions: you need to put a coin on the paw of one of the griffins, rub the paw and kiss the place above the tail. Sometimes they say that it is enough just to walk across the bridge, holding banknotes. Or shake small coins, which you should put more in your pocket, so that the sound is as loud as possible.
According to another, student legend that originated among students of the St. Petersburg State Academy of Economics and Finance, near whichthere is a bridge, the griffins, being the keepers of knowledge, can help them during the session.
There is another legend that is not related to financial well-being. It is associated with the fulfillment of a cherished desire, for which you just need to rub the thigh of the griffin, located on the side of the Kazan Cathedral.
Features of the constructive solution
The Bank Bridge across the Griboyedov Canal in St. Petersburg is one of the unique historical suspension bridges. The wooden flooring of the bridge is held up by chains running along the entire length of the bridge and through the mouths of griffins, attached to massive cast-iron slabs lying on the shore near the exit from the bridge.
The bridge has one span. The structure is supported by special pylons in the form of cast-iron frame frames. The main platform of the bridge is limited on both sides by a unique cast-iron fence.
Decoration: unique fence
The cast-iron fence of the bank bridge consists of sections-sections of rods arranged in a fan-like manner and completed with semicircular arcs, which resembles a semi-flower like chamomile. Between the sections, connecting them into a single whole, cast-iron structures are fixed, made up of 6 curls, similar to currencies. The upper frame of the bridge fence consists of parallel beams connected by evenly spaced cast iron rings. Some argue that the elements are more reminiscent of unfolded fans and palm leaves. Some elements of the fence, as well as the wings of the sculptures decorating the bridge, were covered with gold leaf. By the end of the 19th centurymost of the details have lost their gilding, which was constantly scraped off by local residents for easy money. The grille was dismantled for restoration, but disappeared. And only by the middle of the next century it was restored by the architect Rotach according to the surviving sketches.
Mythological wonder of fairytale bridge
But the real miracle of the bridge is the griffin sculptures. Since the bridge was built near the Assignation Bank building, such an artistic decision does not look strange, because griffins - mythological creatures of Greek origin with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle - are considered good watchmen and a symbol of we alth, as well as the unity of strength and mind. In addition, these were creatures that obeyed the god of sunlight, Apollo, and the goddess of retribution, Nemesis. And they even drove their teams. In addition, they turned the wheel of fate. And in ancient Egypt, they were associated with the power of the pharaoh, who defeated his enemies.
The griffins on the Bank Bridge, made at the Aleksandrovsky Iron Foundry according to Sokolov's project, received bright shining wings, covered with a thin layer of gold leaf, in addition to the gray cast-iron color. And it is precisely because of this that in the future they often suffered at the hands of seekers of we alth. And now the griffins are again sent for restoration, but in the current 2018 they are expected to return to their pedestals.
In addition, the figures of griffins were decorated with wonderful lanterns attached to their foreheads. The lanterns had a round ceiling of milky white glass with a gilded pommel, reminiscent of the sepals of a berry and a curvedarc tripod-"stem".
Near the Bank Bridge
The historical surroundings of the Bank Bridge are rich and amazing. First of all, of course, this is the building of the Assignation Bank, established back in 1768 and housed in a building on Sadovaya Street, designed by the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi. Also - the building of the Kazan Cathedral - a monument to the Patriotic War of 1812, erected at the beginning of the 19th century by Andrei Voronikhin.
Besides, this area was one of the most actual trading places of the city - there were Bolshoi Gostiny, Apraksin and Shchukin yards nearby. And a little further - on Nevsky Prospekt - the famous building of the Singer company and the Engelhardt mansion. In the distance, along the embankment, one can see the domes of the Savior on Spilled Blood.
