First Garden bridge, Cast iron bridge in Mikhailovsky Garden, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The First Garden Bridge is a cast iron crossing in the eastern section of Mikhailovsky Garden that spans two ponds. Its structure features five iron lattice trusses that form the main supporting framework.
Carlo Rossi designed this bridge in the early 1820s during the Mikhailovsky Garden redesign. Emperor Alexander I commissioned the project for his son Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich.
The bridge fits into the English landscape garden style that shaped Mikhailovsky Garden, where curved paths and natural forms create a sense of flow. Visitors can observe how such passageways help connect different garden areas in a thoughtful way.
You can reach the crossing easily by following the pathways through the eastern section of the garden. The cast iron details are clearly visible up close and show the craftsmanship of the period.
This bridge retains its original cast iron components from the 1820s, making it the only one of its kind in the city. The fact that these elements have remained unaltered for nearly two centuries shows how carefully the site has been treated.
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