1st Lavra Bridge

The 1st Lavra Bridge spans the Monastyrka River near the main entrance to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. The bridge is a single-span reinforced concrete beam-and-girder structure. The length of the bridge is 18 meters, and the width is 9.5 meters.

From the facades, the span structure is covered with prefabricated decorative arches clad in granite. The massive abutments are made of monolithic reinforced concrete on a pile foundation, also clad in granite. The bridge is equipped with metal welded railing grilles and granite curbs along the sidewalks.

The 1st Lavra Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the city. The first floating crossing at this location was built in 1712 by order of Peter I during the construction of the "Monastery of the Life-Giving Trinity and Saint Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky" (in 1797, the monastery was transformed into a lavra). Many historians believe that this bridge was the first crossing on the mainland part of Petersburg.

In 1718, the floating crossing was replaced by a wooden lift bridge of the beam-and-brace system. In the 1830s, it was rebuilt again in wood: the bridge became a single-span beam bridge on brick abutments. From 1829, the bridge was called the 1st Alexandrovsky, and from 1836 to 1862 — Monastyrsky.

In 1924, the 1st Lavra Bridge was repaired and rebuilt into a five-span wooden beam-and-girder system, retaining the brick abutments. The span structure consisted of wooden girders, with the old arches, which had become unusable, replaced by new wooden ones that served for 25 years until 1949.

In 1949, during another repair, the wooden girders were replaced with metal beams. The bridge was rebuilt into a three-span structure on wooden supports, retaining the stone abutments. The superstructure and railings remained wooden.

The current 1st Lavra Bridge was constructed in 1970-1972 based on a design developed by engineer Rubashev and architect Noskov.

The river over which the bridge was built was called the Black River in the 18th century due to the dark color of its water (like many other Black Rivers in Petersburg and its suburbs, it flowed from peat bogs). In 1829, after the construction of the eastern part of the Obvodny Canal, the Black River split into the Monastyrka and Volkovka rivers.

Being a relatively new structure, the 1st Lavra Bridge is not listed as an architectural monument. It is designed in a style close to retrospectivism — an architectural trend of the early 20th century based on the revival of architectural heritage from past eras, ranging from ancient Russian architecture to classicism and Empire style. According to the architect’s concept, the new bridge harmoniously fits into the classical ensemble of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra.

The bridge is located in one of the most interesting places in the historic center of Petersburg. It leads to the main entrance of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra and connects the lavra’s territory with the necropolises of the State Museum of Urban Sculpture.

Sources:

https://mostotrest-spb.ru/bridges/1-j-lavrskij