Each experienced tourist has his own list of the mostmemorable sights of St. Petersburg. It is enough to walk one by one through its winding narrow streets, to enjoy the silence of old 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, which in the historical center number more than 340. Among them there are small pedestrian and transport arteries of the city. However, a special place is occupied by the Kisses Bridge in St. Petersburg.
Location
The bridge is among the most famoussights of the city. Although the guests of the city, for whom this is the first sightseeing trip, meet with difficulties of independent search for its location.
It is best to determine in advance the route,the final point of which will be Kisses Bridge. The address is simple - you need to get to the Glinki streets on the Moika River embankment. In parallel, it passes Kryukov Canal, which is one of the branches of the Moika River. You can get to the bridge by public transport. It is enough to choose any route passing through Glinka Street. The nearest landmarks are the Theater Square and the State Conservatory.
If you need to drive from the side of the big Neva,then it is possible to follow the Prospect of Labor from the Annunciation Bridge. Further along the embankment of the Hook channel you have to get to the intersection with Bolshaya Morskaya Street. In this place you can see not only the Kisses Bridge, but also a small Krasnoflotsky pedestrian.
History
For the first time in this place r. Fontanka appeared wooden pedestrian bridge in 1738. It had a lifting structure and was painted in various colors. It is because of this that he was called "Colored".
Later, in 1768, the reconstruction was carried out, as a result of which the bridge became a transport bridge. But because of the heavy workload and frequent repairs, it was decided to completely rebuild it. The final view of the Kisses Bridge in St. Petersburg was acquired in 1816, when the cast-iron one-span arch was erected on the site of the old wooden structure. Since then, the appearance of the bridge has not changed much.
During the construction of tramways in 1908.cast-iron obelisks were removed. But during the reconstruction of 1968 it was a pleasure to decide to install their exact copy. And since then the bridge has not been subjected to any more changes. Its appearance completely corresponds to the original idea of the architect V. I. Geste.
Name
There are many versions on which the bridgeKisses in St. Petersburg got its name. The most common of them is romantic. In the XIX century, this area was the unofficial border of the city. On the bridge there were parting and meeting lovers. If we take into account that that troubled century was rich in military events, then the version is fully justified.
No less touching story suggests thatnearby was a city prison. During the convoying of prisoners, their beloved had only one opportunity to meet - when the column passed through the Kisses Bridge. In St. Petersburg, these are the most common stories, but they are just fiction.
The truth is much more prosaic. Nearby there was a well-known drinking institution of merchant Potseluev - a tavern "Kiss". This is what gave the name of the bridge.
Present day
But not everyone wants to believe in this historical fact.Nowadays, the bridge has become a meeting point for lovers, and every couple during the wedding considers it a good tradition to leave on its railing a castle with its own names. And the kiss of the newlyweds should start on one side, and end on the other. The main argument of such close attention is that this bridge is not waterproof.
Nowadays the Kisses Bridge in St. Petersburgbecame a truly tourist 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.
Nearby points of interest
Its popularity is the Kisses Bridge inSt. Petersburg has received not only beautiful legends, but also a successful location. Not far from it is the pearl of the city - St. Isaac's Cathedral. Almost all the tourists who visited St. Petersburg make the most beautiful photos of the Kisses Bridge with a view of the dome of the cathedral.
Literally a 3-minute walk is locatedthe famous Theater Square. If you walk along the embankment of the river. Fontanka, in the direction of St. Isaac's Square, then you can go to the Hermitage in 20-25 minutes. This area of the city itself is a historical landmark - just go to the nearest quiet cozy courtyard to experience all the unforgettable charm of St. Petersburg.
The Kisses Bridge has become not just a transport artery of the city - legends and stories about it will continue to excite loving couples for a long time and beckon numerous tourists.
