Krestovy Bridge, Podkaprizovaya Road, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 196601
Even at a glance, it becomes clear where the creator of the structure drew his inspiration. The forms of the Cross Bridge reflect the influence of Chinese architectural traditions. It was Rinaldi himself who wanted to create a bridge styled in the Eastern tradition, but his idea was realized by Vasily Ivanovich Neelov and Charles Cameron. On May 26, 1776, Neelov received an order from the Empress "to build in the village of Tsarskoye, in the New Garden, across the canal and to the Caprice, a stone Chinese gazebo on arches, with four ascents," faced with raspberry, yellow, and blue glazed bricks. The architect borrowed the bridge design from a popular album of the time by English architects Halfpenny, titled Rural Architecture in Chinese Taste. Although the concept was not original, its detailed development and execution required great skill from the builders. Neelov, who began the construction, and his son, who completed it in 1779, brilliantly handled the complex task. The construction demanded great originality and attention to detail from Neelov and his son; the bridge was only finished in 1779, and the Empress was delighted with the result. The bridge is located at the Cross Canal, at its corner and near the entrance to Alexander Park. Although small in size, the bridge feels monumental due to its correct proportions; it seems to be "thrown" across the corner of the canal. Its original placement combined with a unique design made it an outstanding compositional spot in the entire visible perspective. The arches of the structure have steep curves. According to the architects' idea, this geometry was meant to resemble the back of a tiger preparing for a swift leap. At the intersection stands an octagonal pavilion. The structure evokes the park art of China. The colored glaze and natural brick facing, as well as the painted roof, are elements of Eastern garden buildings. Although small in size, the bridge feels monumental due to its correct proportions. The majestic semi-arches formed a viewing platform, on which a pavilion with facing made of colored glazed bricks by the manufacturer Konradi was installed. The path to the pavilion is paved with twenty granite steps, and marble was also used in the finishing.
The Cross Bridge is located at the corner of the Cross Canal, to the left of the park entrance. Despite its small size, the bridge appears monumental thanks to well-found proportions. Powerful, sharply curved semi-arches meet and form a platform. The pavilion walls are pierced by tall pointed windows. The curved "Chinese" roof was painted "like fish scales" and topped with a spire adorned with stacked spheres. Wide granite staircases with twenty-three steps each lead to the pavilion. The round platforms at the base of the stair flights are paved with two-colored marble tiles. Under the upper platform, above the water, hangs a "weight," or "globe," as this original decoration was called in the 18th century.
The pavilion features tall pointed windows, and the roof is curved in the Chinese style, painted like "fish scales," and topped with a spire.
Sources:
https://www.tzar.ru/objects/alexandrovskypark/newgarden/krestovymost
