Aptekarsky Bridge, Metal bridge in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Aptekarsky Bridge is a metal crossing over the Little Nevka River, linking Aptekarsky Island to Kamenny Island with a five-span design. The structure accommodates motor vehicles, trams, and pedestrians on its 27-meter-wide deck.
The bridge started as a floating pontoon in 1760 and was rebuilt between 1811 and 1813 into Russia's first timber arch span. This early transformation demonstrated significant progress in the city's bridge engineering.
The bridge forms part of Saint Petersburg's extensive network of 342 bridges, contributing to the city's reputation as the Venice of the North.
Visitors can walk across the bridge during daylight and enjoy views of the river from the deck. The crossing works well on dry days when you can see clearly across the waterway and surrounding areas.
The bridge contains a double-leaf bascule mechanism in its central span that once allowed ships to pass underneath. This movable system no longer operates but remains visible as a distinctive engineering feature.
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