The bridge over the Fontanka on Nevsky Prospekt, surrounded by four sculptures of horse handlers, is one of the most recognizable bridges of St. Petersburg
The total length of the bridge is 54.6 m, width is 37.9 m. Anichkov Bridge has three lanes, as well as pedestrian sidewalks.
Its official name "Nevsky Bridge" did not take root. The name "Anichkov" went in the name of Lieutenant-Colonel-Engineer Mikhail Anichkov, whose working battalion rebuilt the settlement, which was nearby. He also took part in the construction of the bridge. The stories that build the bridge name to some Anichka or Ana are just urban legends
The first wooden bridge in this place was built under Peter I in 1716 and had a length of about 150 meters. Later, the bridge changed many times: expanded, strengthened, rebuilt in wood and stone. The modern view of the bridge was acquired in the middle of the 19th century. Three spans, covered with gentle vaults, were laid out of bricks and faced with granite. There were wonderful cast iron railings made according to sketches of the German architect Karl Schinkel, depicting mermaids and sea horses.
In 1841, there appeared the famous horse sculptures of Klodt, cast in bronze . First on the west side "Horse with the Going Youth" and "The Boy , taking the horse by the bridle ". On the eastern side, symmetrical sculptures were installed five times . The first pair of Nicholas I presented as a gift to the Prussian king - tamers and now stand in Berlin in the Kleist Park . The second were in Naples - thanks for hospitality to the King of both Sicilies from Empress Alexandra Feodorovna . The rest "scattered" across Russia .After Klodt decided not to repeat the sculpture, but made new ones, showing the four stages of taming the horse .
It is interesting that two horses that look at the Admiralty are shod, and the other two do not have horseshoes. They say that in the 18th century forges were located on Liteiny. So it turns out that the horses go to Liteiny without horseshoes, and back - savvy.
Anichkov Bridge and Anichkov Palace
Anichkov Bridge belongs to the objects of the cultural heritage of the Russian Federation. The operation of the bridge is monitored, wear and tear of the poles and covers are monitored, and planned renovations of the structure itself and sculptures are carried out. During the Leningrad blockade the tamers were removed and buried in the Anichkov Palace garden. And on one of the pedestals you can still see the trail of the artillery shell.
