Blagoveshchensky Bridge

Blagoveshchensky Bridge is a movable road crossing in historic Saint Petersburg. It links Vasilievsky Island to the Admiralty quarter, spanning the river in five sections over a total length of 331 meters.

Work lasted from 1842 to 1850, creating the city's first permanent metal crossing. At the time of its opening, it ranked as the longest bridge in Europe.

The name refers to the Annunciation, pointing back to the original crossing toward a church of the same dedication. Side railings display tridents and seahorses, recalling the city's age-old ties to naval power.

Between April and November the structure lifts twice each night to allow ships through. The roadway measures 37 meters wide, providing space for cars, pedestrians and cyclists.

Engineer Stanislaw Kierbedź introduced new techniques for drilling piles underwater during construction. This method represented an important advance in bridge building and later found application elsewhere.

Location: Saint Petersburg

Inception: 1850

Official opening: November 12, 1850

Length: 331 m

Width: 37 m

Made from material: steel

GPS coordinates: 59.93466,30.28971

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:24