Bridge of Lions, Road and bascule bridge in St. Augustine, Florida, United States.
The Bridge of Lions is a road and bascule bridge crossing the Matanzas Bay and connecting St. Augustine to Anastasia Island. It features a double-leaf lift mechanism with marble Medici lions positioned at each entrance.
The bridge was built between 1925 and 1927 and later added to the National Register of Historic Places. Its design reflects both the engineering and architectural qualities of that era.
The two lions are Carrara marble copies of the Medici lions in Florence's Loggia dei Lanzi, made by the Romanelli Studios and given by Dr. Andrew Anderson, builder of the Markland House, as his last gift to the city. He died in 1924 before they were installed. The pair were named "Firm" and "Faithful"; in 2015 residents Wolfgang and Miki Schau donated two granite lions, "Pax" and "Peli", for the city's 450th anniversary.
The bridge carries State Road A1A between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island. Its bascule span opens for vessels on the hour and half hour from 7:00am to 6:00pm, except at 8:00am, 12:00pm and 5:00pm on weekdays that are not federal holidays. The west entrance has gazebos, palms and a public dock reaching into the bay.
The two Carrara marble lions were carved by the Romanelli Studios in Florence and given by Dr. Andrew Anderson, who died in 1924 before they were installed. They are named "Firm" and "Faithful". In 2015 two granite lions, "Pax" and "Peli", were added on the east side for the city's 450th anniversary.
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