Italian Bridge

{{Short description|Bridge in Saint Petersburg, Russia}} {{Infobox bridge |bridge_name=Italian Bridge<br />Итальянский мост |image=Italiansky Bridge SPB 01.jpg |image_size=376 |caption=Italian bridge, upstream view, 2015 |official_name= |carries= |crosses=Griboyedov Canal |locale=Saint Petersburg |maint= |id= |design=Arch Bridge |mainspan= |length={{convert|22.5|m|abbr=on|adj=on}} |width={{convert|3|m|abbr=on|adj=on}} |height= |load= |clearance= |below= |traffic= |open=1896 (wooden), 1968 |closed= |toll= |map_cue= |map_image= |map_text= |map_width= |coordinates= |lat= |long= }}

The '''Italian Bridge''' ({{langx|ru|Итальянский мост}}) is a {{convert|22.5|m|abbr=on|adj=on}} long and {{convert|3|m|abbr=on|adj=on}} wide single-span beam pedestrian bridge crossing the Griboyedov Canal in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It connects {{ill|Kazansky Island|ru|Казанский остров}} and {{ill|Spassky Island|ru|Спасский остров}} in the city's Tsentralny District.<ref name="BM">{{cite web|url=https://mostotrest-spb.ru/bridges/italyanskij|work=mostotrest-spb.ru|title=Итальянский мост|language=ru|access-date=7 December 2025}}</ref> The bridge takes its name from Italyanskaya Street.<ref name="ESP1">{{cite web |first=D. Yu.|last=Guzevich|first2=S. Z.|last2=Suponitsky|first3=N. M.|last3=Kozlovskaya|url=https://encspb.ru/object/2804006059|work=encspb.ru|title=Итальянский мост|language=ru|access-date=7 December 2025}}</ref>

==History== {{Commons category|Italian Bridge}} thumb|left|Italian bridge railing The bridge was built in 1896 in the place of a boat ferry as a single span wooden bridge which connected Bolshaya and Malaya Italyanskaya Streets. Railway engineer Leonid N. Kolpitsyn proposed building a bridge across the canal, but as the city authorities declined to endorse the project, he built it at his own expense.<ref name="BM"/> The novelty at the time was use of xilolit plates as a paving material.<ref name="BM"/> The bridge opened to pedestrians on 6 October 1896, at a cost of 3,500 rubles.<ref name="BM"/> The city authorities expressed gratitude, but refused to reimburse the construction costs, and also rejected his proposal of introducing a toll of 1 kopeck per person. Kolpitsyn ultimately donated the bridge to the city.<ref name="BM"/>

In 1902 the bridge was rebuilt for the first time, the xylolite slabs replaced with plank decking, overseen by {{ill|Karl Baldi|ru|Бальди, Карл Валерианович}}.<ref name="BM"/> In 1911-1912 it was rebuilt again, with the trusses replaced with a timber strut structure, under the supervision of engineer K. V. Yefimyev. In 1912, the trusses were replaced with a timber strut structure. In 1937, it was rebuilt as a pedestrian heat-conducting bridge with two thermal pipes, and rebuilt in 1955 with a steel beam superstructure with elaborate decorations. In 1996, the "Venetian" lanterns and railing were restored.<ref name="ESP1"/> The bridge has the status of an object of regional significance on the Russian cultural heritage register.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ru-monuments.toolforge.org/get_info.php?id=781710992770005|title=Итальянский мост|language=ru|access-date=7 December 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ru-monuments.toolforge.org/wikivoyage.php?id=7802241000|title=Итальянский мост|language=ru|access-date=7 December 2025}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Crossings navbox |structure = Bridges |place = Griboyedov Canal |bridge = Italian Bridge |bridge signs = |upstream = Novo-Konyushenny Bridge |upstream signs = |downstream = Kazansky Bridge |downstream signs = }} {{Authority control}} {{Coord|59.9373|N|30.327|E|display=title}}

Category:Bridges in Saint Petersburg Category:Bridges completed in 1896 Category:Bridges completed in 1955 Category:1896 establishments in the Russian Empire Category:Cultural heritage monuments of regional significance in Saint Petersburg