BRIDGES

A curious fact: during the reign of Peter the Great, the founder of Saint Petersburg, there were hardly 10 bridges being constructed. The reason is the desire of the emperor to make the city the Venice of the North where everybody would move from place to place in boats. And in winter when the frost covers all waters ice sledges would be used. But after the death of Peter the Great people have chosen much easier ways of shifting and numerous bridges have appeared.

The widest bridge in the city is the Blue bridge (about 100 m wide) and the longest stretches across the Neva River for 1000 m and is called after the saint patron of Saint Petersburg - saint Alexander Nevsky. There are 'coloured' bridges in Saint Petersburg: the Red, the Blue, the Green and the Yellow bridges. They all cross the Moika river. These names have not an accidental origin.

When the bridges have been just constructed, they were made of wood and their handrails were painted in a certain color. Later wood was replaced by metal, but original names of the past are still kept. Here you can find English, Italian and Egypt bridges; bridges decorated with towers, lions, horses and even magic animals - griffins; there are Post, Theatre, and even Kissing bridge.

The name derives from the times when a border of the city was along the Moika River. The legend tells that lovers met there to hide from everybody. Today this bridge is in the very heart of the city, so its' romantic role doesn't work any more. Of course the most amazing fact about the Saint Petersburg bridges is that all the bridges across the Neva River are "opening" ones. It means that at night they are lifted to let the big steamers and ships pass through the delta of the river into Ladoga Lake. That is the picture of majestic beauty, especially during the famous period of Wight Nights from May till July, when nights are as light as daytime and there is a wonderful feeling of magic all around the city.