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The Palace Bridge

Palace Bridge was meant to unite the diverse architectural ensembles of the Winter Palace on the one side of the Neva River with University Embankment and the spit of Vasilevsky Island on the other.

Surprisingly, given its location, the bridge is a 20th century creation - before this, the only way across the Neva at this point was by boat. A committee set up to find a design for the bridge reviewed 27 proposals before giving the commission to A. Pshenitsky, and construction work began in 1912. The bridge opened to traffic in 1916, even thought its decorations, including the pavilions and lamps, were far from complete.

Although it is 250 meters long, the bridge's design is actually quite simple, comprising five separate spans with two of the middle spans opening up to relatively wide angles to allow river traffic to pass underneath.

Unfortunately, many experts agree that the completed bridge fell short of its goal of uniting the two banks of the river into one harmonious architectural ensemble. For example, it obstructs the view of University Embankment and the spit of Vasilevsky Island on the one bank and the Admiralty on the other. Its bank abutments and river supports also appear too heavy and hang awkwardly over the Neva. The problem is compounded by the large amount of traffic which flows across the bridge: More than 24,000 cars cross the bridge each day, making Palace Bridge the busiest bridge in the city.

Nevertheless, today Palace Bridge is probably most famous for the spectacular view of the SS Peter & Paul fortress it creates when it opens up in the early morning hours to allow river traffic through. The silhouette of the bridge's two raised platforms with the thin golden spire of SS Peter & Paul Cathedral rising in the background is one of the landmark views in the city.

Millionnaya 27