Few people know that majesticSt. Petersburg overtook even the Italian city on the water by the number of bridges. Each of them has its own name and an interesting story that is known to the indigenous people of the Venice of the North. Tourists enjoying the local sights come to the city, riddled with rivers and canals. No matter how St. Petersburg is shrouded in mist, bridges will always be its main symbol and pride of the inhabitants.
Passion for the culture of ancient Egypt
At the beginning of the XIX century in Russia began a generalfascination with ancient Egypt, and St. Petersburg was no exception. Increased attention to the bygone civilization led to the fact that a bridge, decorated in the style of the country of the pyramids, was erected across the Fontanka. In our article, we will consider interesting facts related to the construction of the structure, about which many ancient legends are composed, and we will tell you in detail where the Egyptian bridge is located in St. Petersburg.
Unusual bridge
The project is unusual for the city handsomeengaged in the wizard, who created a lot of attractions. In 1825, construction began on a picturesque bridge, which was distinguished by its appearance from the present one. All guests were greeted with gates painted with hieroglyphs, and the unusual Egyptian ornament surprised with its color. The Egyptian bridge in St. Petersburg was installed on poles lined with granite, and the whole structure was supported by three powerful chains.
Of particular interest were the four sphinxes, onwhose heads are wearing a high golden comb, and the appearance of a mythical animal more resembled Greek sculptures. Egyptian creatures were depicted with masculine facial features, not feminine, as in this version.
One of many legends tells that the face of the Sphinx copies the face of the extremely attractive wife of Emperor Alexander I.
Funerary construction songs
August 25th Egyptian Bridge in St. Petersburg,decorated with hieroglyphs, was solemnly opened. The people called this bridge “singing” because they heard strange, mournful sounds that made chains when walking. And many noted that the design in a trendy style sang to itself a funeral song.
Collapse and its versions
In the winter of 1905, the chain building collapsed under a squadron of the cavalry regiment, and only by lucky no one was injured. Only four gloomy sphinx looked at what was happening.
Then the residents recalled the gloomy sounds and made conclusions that this is a real rock that is being pursued by the building. And experts considered the main culprits of the incident miscalculations in the design.
However, the real reasons for the fact that strong chainstorn, unknown. Builders who have repeatedly repaired the bridge, noted the good condition of the structure as a whole. The military was blamed for the buildup of the structure because of a coordinated step in the leg, and in many textbooks the collapse of the structure is associated with the so-called resonance effect.
Очевидцы трагедии утверждали, что солдаты не шли on the bridge, and rode horses, so this version is considered very doubtful. Contemporaries call the main cause of the accident fragility in the cold metal.
Mystical Legends
Egyptian Bridge in St. Petersburg sinceits appearance overgrown with various legends and rumors. The people did not stint on the fantasy, and the most fantastic explanations of the incident were put forward. They remembered the girl who had been deceived by the military, who in her hearts wanted to fall down to the ground to her offenders.
It was said that the granite blocks that werethe Egyptian bridge in St. Petersburg was faced, and a drowning ditch in front of the Mikhailovsky Castle was removed from the walls. Ostensibly, stones were originally brought from ancient temples, where mystical rituals were performed, and the pagan gods poured their ire on people.
Another version of the disaster is associated withcurse of sphinxes, although they had nothing to do with ancient Egypt, but the people still attributed supernatural power to them. The sounds of the chains that held the Egyptian bridge in St. Petersburg, whose photo fascinates with its beauty, rumor attributed to mystical creatures, endowing them with a prophetic gift.
Wooden construction
For a while, bridge trafficit stopped, but after the construction of a wooden crossing, which faithfully served St. Petersburgers for about 50 years, it was restored again. Because of the inconvenience that arose, the question of building a new bridge arose. In 1955, more than 20 projects were submitted, of which only one met all the requirements of appearance.
New design with the same look
Правда, конструкция была упрощена, но оформление remained the same - in the Egyptian style. And the old sphinxes observe with indifferent facial expression for passing people. On the modern bridge, in order to avoid new troubles, the roadway plate is well fixed on nine frames.
In 1989, another incident happened.A lorry drove onto the statue of the Sphinx, the figure fell into the river and was seriously injured. During the restoration, it turned out that the heads of the sculptures had gilding that was worn out over time.
In 2004, the sphinxes returned the originalappearance, perhaps even in the hope that they will no longer make sad sounds, and the Egyptian Bridge in St. Petersburg will never be the cause of the tragedy.
Reviews of tourists
Visitors, who visited the landmark for the first time, admire how organically the structure looks on Fontanka, in the area of which it is so pleasant to stroll both in the afternoon and in the evening.
Guests of the city on the Neva note that the originalthe bridge, which cannot be passed, attracts a veil of mystery. This is a wonderful place for beautiful photo shoots, especially in the dark when the faces of the sphinxes change as a result of the play of light.
Many talk about the special atmosphere, immersed in the mysteries of ancient Egypt, and the developed imagination of tourists draws the most fascinating paintings.
Egyptian Bridge in St. Petersburg: how to get there?
Harmoniously blended into the image of the city, the bridge that spread over the Fontanka in the Admiralteysky district of Northern Palmyra enjoys deserved fame among tourists.
The nearest metro station is “Baltiyskaya”, andNearby is the Lermontovsky Prospect public transport stop. It is necessary to pass quite a bit, and the Egyptian bridge in St. Petersburg will open in all its magnificence to your eyes.
The construction address is as follows: Embankment of the Fontanka River, 34, 37.
Now instead of portals at the entrance to the bridgethere are installed stylized obelisks, giving a special atmosphere to this place. The original structure is an integral part of the mysterious image of the northern capital, and the sphinxes serve as a wonderful decoration of the structure in the area distant from the heart of the city.
