Hermitage Bridge
The Hermitage Bridge is a bridge across the Winter Canal along Palace Embankment in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The bridge constitutes part of the Hermitage and Winter Palace ensemble.
Location
The bridge is between the Hermitage Theatre and the Old Hermitage. The Winter Canal separates two islands: Winter Palace is on Second Admiralty island, while the Hermitage Theatre is on First Admiralty island. Automobile traffic crosses the bridge in two lanes, one in each direction. The canal waters flow from the Neva to the Moyka, while boats on the canal travel from the Moyka to the Neva.The nearest station of the Saint Petersburg Metro is Admiralteyskaya.
Image:Hermitage Bridge 1820.jpg|thumb|200px|left|View on Hermitage Bridge towards Neva River. 1820 lithograph
History
The original bridge was a three-span wooden drawbridge constructed in 1718–20 by Harmen van Bol'es, immediately after the canal near the Winter Palace was completed. This bridge was narrow, allowing passage of only one cart at a time.The permanent stone bridge was built in 1763–66, in conjunction with building of granite embankments of the Neva River.
Today, Hermitage Bridge remains the oldest stone bridge in Saint Petersburg.
Originally the arch of the bridge was built from brick and limestone with granite exterior.
In 1934 it was replaced with the new monolithic hinge-free ferroconcrete arch, but the granite facade was preserved by the project of engineer A. D. Sapestein and architect K. M. Dmitriev, the adviser – professor G. P. Peredery.
In 1950, the original decor of ramps was restored.