9.30.2014

16. Egyptian Bridge across the Fontanka River 9.21.2014


Egyptian Bridge across the Fontanka River 9.21.2014

From Wikipedia:
The Egyptian Bridge (Египетский мост) carries Lermontov Avenue over the Fontanka River in St. Petersburg.

The one-span suspension bridge that it replaced was of historical interest as a monument to early 19th-century Egyptomania. It was constructed in 1825-1826 based on designs by two civil engineers, Von Traitteur and Christianowicz. Its granite abutments were topped with cast-iron sphinxes and hexagonal lanterns. An unusual feature was a pair of cast-iron gates featuring Egyptian-style columns, ornaments, and hieroglyphics, with many details of the ironwork elaborately gilded.

The original bridge, used by both pedestrians and horse-drawn transport, collapsed on January 20, 1905, when a cavalry squadron was marching across it. The present structure, incorporating sphinxes and several other details from the 19th-century bridge, was completed in 1955.

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