At the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and the Fontanka River stands a bridge recognizable by silhouette from afar—four equestrian groups on granite pedestals, bronze youths taming horses. Anichkov Bridge is one of Petersburg's symbols, a place you can't avoid walking past on Nevsky.

Bridge History

The first wooden bridge here was built in 1715. The name comes from Lieutenant Colonel Anichkov, whose battalion built the crossing. The bridge was rebuilt several times: stone appeared in the 1780s, the current one in 1841.

Today's bridge is engineer Buttats's design: three arches, granite facing, cast-iron railings depicting mermaids and seahorses. But what brought the bridge fame wasn't the engineering but the sculptures.

Klodt's Horses

Four Groups

Sculptor Pyotr Klodt created four equestrian groups depicting stages of a man taming a horse. The narrative unfolds as you walk around the bridge:

1. Youth leads a horse by the bridle—the taming begins.
2. The horse breaks free, the youth restrains it.
3. Struggle—the man is nearly defeated but doesn't give up.
4. Victory—the horse is tamed, the youth holds it confidently.

This isn't mere decoration—it's a story told in bronze.

The Sculptures' Fate

Klodt's horses became famous across Europe. Nicholas I gifted authorized copies: to Berlin, Naples, and Konnogvardeysky Boulevard in Petersburg. The original groups survived the siege: they were removed and buried in Anichkov Garden. After the war they returned—shrapnel traces on the pedestals recall those days.

The Bridge on Nevsky

Location

Anichkov Bridge is where Nevsky Prospekt crosses the Fontanka. This is mid-historic Nevsky: about 2 km from the Admiralty, the same to Vosstaniya Square. The bridge is a natural reference point for walks.

What's Around

Significant buildings stand on all four corners. Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace (Baroque, tours inside). Anichkov Palace (Palace of Pioneers, closed to visitors). Two apartment buildings. The intersection itself is one of the city's busiest.

Practical Tips

How to Look

To see all four sculptures, walk around the bridge. Best view of the horse groups—from the Fontanka embankment. At sunset, bronze glows gold. Evening brings illumination.

Photography

The bridge offers Fontanka views in both directions. Classic shot—a horse against Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace. Many tourists, but patience is rewarded.

Getting There

Mayakovskaya or Gostiny Dvor metro—5 minutes walking along Nevsky. Or simply walking the prospekt—you can't miss it.

Legends and Details

The Youth's Face

Legend says Klodt gave one youth his own features. You can search long—there's no official confirmation, but the legend lives.

Railings with Mermaids

The cast-iron railings are artworks themselves. Mermaids, seahorses, tridents—a maritime theme characteristic of Petersburg.

What's Nearby

Anichkov Bridge is a crossroads of tourist routes. From here you can go to Kazan Cathedral and the Church of the Savior on Blood (west) or to Vosstaniya Square and Moskovsky Station (east). The Fontanka embankment leads to the Summer Garden north and Semyonovsky Bridge south.

Atmosphere

Anichkov Bridge is the quintessence of Petersburg style: imperial grandeur in details, history in bronze, beauty woven into daily life. Thousands cross the bridge daily without thinking. But if you stop, look at Klodt's horses, at reflections in the Fontanka—the city opens differently.