Novo-Nikolsky bridge, Single-span bridge over Griboyedov Canal in Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Novo-Nikolsky Bridge is a single-span crossing over the Griboyedov Canal connecting Kazansky Island with Spassky Island. It features a reinforced concrete structure with granite-clad supports and metal railings that show the engineering style of its time.
The original cast-iron structure built between 1835 and 1837 collapsed shortly after completion, leading to a complete rebuild in 1841 under architect Carlo Rossi. The final reconstruction in 1934 replaced it with the reinforced concrete version that stands today.
The bridge takes its name from the nearby St Nicholas Naval Cathedral, a religious landmark that shaped the identity of this district. Walking across it, you notice how the waterway connects different quarters that were historically tied to naval and religious life.
The bridge sits in an easily walkable area with level access on both sides, making it simple to navigate. Several metro stations in the vicinity offer convenient ways to reach it without traveling far on foot.
The bridge you see today is the third incarnation of this crossing, built in 1934 from reinforced concrete after the first iron version failed. This makes it a quiet example of how engineering failures sometimes lead to better solutions.
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