Every experienced tourist has his own list of the most memorable sights of St. Petersburg. It is enough to walk along its winding narrow streets once, enjoy the silence of ancient courtyards, to understand: this treasure trove of historical Russia can surprise even local old-timers. Among all the sights of the city, a special place is occupied by bridges, of which there are more than 340 in the historical center. Among them there are small pedestrian and transport arteries of the city. However, a special place is occupied by the Bridge of Kisses in St. Petersburg.
Location
The bridge is one of the city's most famous landmarks. Although the guests of the city, for whom this is the first sightseeing trip, encounter difficulties in finding its location on their own.
It is best to decide in advance on the route, the final point of which will be Kisses Bridge. His address is simple - you need to walk (drive) to the alignment of Glinka Street to the embankment of the Moika River. Parallel to it, the Kryukov Canal passes, which is one ofbranches of the Moika River. You can also get to the bridge by public transport. It is enough to choose any route passing through Glinka Street. The closest landmarks are Theater Square and the State Conservatory.
If you need to drive from the side of the big Neva, then you can follow Prospekt Truda from Blagoveshchensky Bridge. Further along the Kryukovy Canal embankment, you need to get to the intersection with Bolshaya Morskaya Street. In this place you can see not only the Bridge of Kisses, but also a small pedestrian Krasnoflotsky.
History
For the first time in this place r. Fontanka River, a wooden pedestrian bridge appeared in 1738. It had a lifting structure and was painted in various colors. It was thanks to this that they began to call him "Colored".
Later, in 1768, a reconstruction was made, as a result of which the bridge became a transport bridge. But due to the heavy load and frequent repairs, it was decided to completely rebuild it. The bridge of Kisses in St. Petersburg acquired its final form in 1816, when a cast-iron single-span arch was erected on the site of the old wooden structure. Since then, the appearance of the bridge has hardly changed.
During the laying of tram tracks in 1908, cast-iron obelisks were removed. But during the reconstruction of 1968, it was a pleasant decision to install their exact copy. And since then the bridge has not been subjected to any more changes. Its appearance is fully consistent with the original idea of the architect V. I. Geste.
Name
There are many versions by which the Bridge of Kisses in St. Petersburg got its name. The most common of these is romantic. In the 19th century, this area was the unofficial border of the city. Partings and meetings of lovers took place on the bridge. Given that that turbulent century was rich in military events, then the version is quite justified.
An equally touching story tells that the city prison was located nearby. During the escort of the prisoners, their lovers had only one opportunity to meet - when the column passed through the Kissing Bridge. In St. Petersburg, these are the most common stories, but they are just fiction.
The truth is much more prosaic. Nearby was the well-known drinking establishment of the merchant Potseluev - the tavern "Kiss". This is what gave the bridge its name.
Today
But not everyone wants to believe in this historical fact. Nowadays, the bridge has become a meeting place for lovers, and every couple considers it a good tradition to leave a castle with their names on its railings during their wedding. Moreover, the kiss of the newlyweds should begin on one side and end on the other. The main argument for such close attention is that this bridge is non-movable.
In our time, the Bridge of Kisses in St. Petersburg has become a truly touristic place. It is included in the mandatory excursion program - both bus and river. Every tourist, and even more so a couple, consider it their duty to visit this legendary bridge.
Attractions nearby
Bridge its popularityKisses in St. Petersburg received not only beautiful legends, but also a good location. Not far from it is the pearl of the city - St. Isaac's Cathedral. Almost all tourists visiting St. Petersburg take the most beautiful photos of the Kissing Bridge overlooking the dome of the cathedral.
Literally a 3-minute walk is the famous Theater Square. If you walk along the embankment of the river. Fontanka, in the direction of St. Isaac's Square, then in 20-25 minutes you can go to the Hermitage. This area of the city is a historical landmark in itself - just go to the nearest quiet cozy courtyard to feel all the unforgettable charm of St. Petersburg.
The Bridge of Kisses has become not just a transport artery of the city - legends and stories about it will excite couples in love and attract numerous tourists for a long time.
