Makarovsky Bridge, Makarovsky Bridge, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 197762
In the center of Kronstadt is a small Makarov Bridge. The crossing is protected by the state as a historical and architectural monument of the 20th century. It looks magical, and it’s no surprise that this elegant, openwork, technical, light, and amazingly beautiful little bridge has become a favorite spot for newlyweds. They like to take traditional photos here. The result is quite tender, intimate shots. And the crossing was built in just 3 months…
At first, the Naval Cathedral began to be erected in Kronstadt, and at the same time, the idea arose to install a monument to the legendary Vice Admiral Stepan Osipovich Makarov. Here is what the author of the project himself, the Russian architect and civil engineer Vasily Antonovich Kosyakov, wrote about the construction of the cathedral: “Since 1902, the construction of the Naval Cathedral — a monument to the ranks of the fleet who died in the line of duty — has been underway in Kronstadt… The cathedral is being built according to a project approved by the highest authority and throughout the construction process has been the subject of special attention from Their Imperial Majesties. Already upon completion of the cathedral, the city authorities realized — what if Nicholas II, when the emperor arrives for the ceremony of consecrating the cathedral, wishes to walk on foot to Anchor Square, how will he get there from Petrovskaya Pier? Before the monarch lies the ravine of Petrovsky Dock, which had to be either bypassed or descended to — to the three lower bridges over the watercourse. To shorten the route, the committee for the construction of the Naval Cathedral decided to throw a pedestrian bridge over this ravine. The crossing was assembled by workers of the Kronstadt Steamship Plant in just 3 months, in 1912.”
The wooden decking of the new bridge was covered with a red velvet carpet. Just as the city authorities had anticipated, Emperor Nicholas II wished to walk to Anchor Square. But, seeing the new bridge before him, he hesitated. The tsar found the bridge to seem unstable; he stopped in confusion and did not cross it. His family and close attendants were nearby, and they all were at a loss…
But then a young officer, the commander of the Honor Guard, stepped forward, stepped onto the velvet carpet, and firmly marched, stamping his step, from the beginning of the bridge to its end on the other side of the ravine. Nicholas II sighed with relief and addressed his daughters with encouraging words.
Together they calmly stepped onto the bridge and walked across it, with the accompanying persons following the emperor and his family. At the end of the ceremony of unveiling the monument to Vice Admiral Makarov, Nicholas II, noticing the officer who personally convinced the tsar of the bridge’s safety, shook his hand and said: “Thank you!” Then the emperor took off his order and pinned it to the young officer’s chest.
The first version of the bridge was created with a metal frame and wooden decking. Due to the nature of the latter, military units and cyclists were prohibited from crossing the Petrovsky ravine via this crossing. Later, after reconstruction in 1940, this ban remained in effect. It was lifted in 1970 when the bridge was replaced with a similar one, but welded. Since then, the crossing was distinguished by the absence of rivets that connected metal parts, as was customary earlier in shipbuilding. The old technology was replaced by a welded structure. The external appearance of the Makarov Bridge was fully preserved; it remained just as authentically remarkable but became many times stronger. For strength, the decking frame was covered with metal sheets. Later, the bridge was asphalted.
During the USSR, the bridge bore the official name — Red. The name was given after the street. Although even then, often in official documents, other names were used: Hanging, Suspension, Makarov.
Sources:
https://mostotrest-spb.ru/bridges/makarovskij-kronshtadt
