Kisses Bridge, Glinki Street, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190000
A romantic walk across many bridges and footbridges will inevitably lead you to the Kiss Bridge. From this bridge, you can not only admire the water surface in the rays of the setting sun but also enjoy a wonderful view of the city's gem – St. Isaac's Cathedral with its huge golden dome. This beautiful view is one of the reasons why the Kiss Bridge is one of the city's calling cards. Artists often paint this place. Another reason for its popularity is the history of the bridge and the legends about it. The bridge appeared at the beginning of the 19th century between the 2nd Admiralty and Kazansky Islands. Initially, there was a simple ferry crossing over the Moika River at this location. Then, at the beginning of the 18th century, a wooden bridge was built here, equipped with a drawbridge section to allow mast ships to pass, and it was painted in different colors, hence it was called the "Colored" bridge. In 1768, a single-span bridge on stone foundations for horse-drawn traffic appeared.
Since 1816, a single-span arched cast-iron bridge has stood at this location, constructed between 1808 and 1816 under the supervision of engineer Geste. The bridge does not open. Strangely enough, the history of the bridge's name does not correspond to the first and seemingly most logical assumption – "the bridge where many kiss." On the left bank of the Moika, at the corner of the modern Glinka Street, in 1788 there was a tavern called "Kiss," owned by a third-guild merchant named Nikifor Vasilyevich Poceluev. According to popular opinion, the bridge's name comes from the tavern's name, or more precisely, from the surname of its owner. Another historical version suggests that the name Kiss Bridge originates from the title of the tavern owners. They were called "tselovalniki" (kissers) because these people kissed the cross, confirming that they would strictly observe the rules of their establishment. At the entrances to the bridge, there used to be four lanterns on granite obelisks. The metal structures of the bridge were made at the famous Demidov factories in the Urals. The bridge's railings – a cast-iron patterned grille – were made at the St. Petersburg cast-iron foundry. In 1907-1908, the bridge was reconstructed to allow public transport to pass, and then for almost a hundred years – from 1909 to 2006 – trams ran across the bridge. In 1952, under the direction of architect Rotach, a reconstruction was carried out to restore its historic appearance. Unfortunately, during the bridge's reconstructions, the granite obelisks for the lanterns were lost. But the decorations in the form of lamps were later restored, modeled after the Red Bridge.
In the distant past (in the 18th century), when the city boundary of St. Petersburg ran along the Moika River area, it was believed that people said goodbye to their loved ones leaving St. Petersburg on the bridge. And of course, kisses were inevitable here. Since the bridge leads to the gates of the Guards Fleet Crew, some believed that the bridge was named Kiss Bridge because sailors kissed their girlfriends goodbye here. Prisoners heading to the nearby prison also had to kiss here before their imprisonment.
Long ago… There was a custom to kiss anyone crossing the bridge with you, even if they were a complete stranger. But then the question arises: why is only this one bridge called the Kiss Bridge?
A more credible legend says that in old times, lovers kissed when crossing bridges. It was a custom – so they would never part. It was also believed that the Kiss Bridge was an essential meeting place for two hearts forced to hide their feelings. If you part with someone you definitely want to meet again, you must take them to the Kiss Bridge and kiss them. Then they will surely return. The longer lovers kiss on the Kiss Bridge, and even better – under it – the longer they will be happy.
Newlyweds should take a deep breath – because on their wedding day, they must cross the bridge while kissing. This literally means – start kissing at the first step on the bridge and finish at the last.
So, as they say, "kiss, gentlemen." Do you really need a reason for that?
And if you definitely want to do this on the Kiss Bridge in St. Petersburg – remember where it is located.
The great Utesov sang:
We inevitably grow old,
but with Lena, as before,
We are in love with each other. And what's the secret?
It must be admitted,
That all bridges open,
But the Kiss Bridge, excuse me, does not!
Sources:
https://spbinteres.ru/poceluev-most-v-spb.html
https://saint-petersburg.ru/m/history/emtsov/371918/
