Lion Wing: The Bank Bridge - decoration of St. Petersburg

Among the many Petersburg bridges there are three special ones. In comparison with fellow-giants, it is rather a bridge - modest, pedestrian. But what original! Let us leave for the future the stories about the pendant chain bridges Lovin and Pochtamtsky. Today, let's turn our eyes to the Bank Bridge, opened on the Catherine (Griboedov) canal in July 1826. His adornment was the mythical winged lion, but not one, but four at once!

There was a bank nearby

Events change each other, but memory remains. Today in an impressive building on Sadovaya one of the oldest universities of Russia is based - the St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance. And once the State Assignation Bank was located. Therefore, the bridge was called Banking. Sculptures of gold-winged lions, a symbol of security and stability, cast according to the forms of sculptor PP Sokolov, is his business card.

Tourists and strolling locals like to look at the reflection of strange profiles in the evening waters. At such moments, it seems to some dreamers that the channel starting from the Moika leads not to the Fontanka, but to the far unexplored regions, where the tales of griffins were born.

Indeed, the winged winged lion often appears as a griffin. Some believe that this is not quite true (they say, unknown animals have no bird's heads). Others claim that these fantastic creatures were diverse, including the lion's "tower." Anyway, the author of the sculptures obviously knew: the griffins became famous in mythology as guardians of treasures - and decided that his offspring will have similar features, because they have to sit on pedestals near a large credit institution.

Lions - separately, wings - separately

So, you already know that the bridge in St. Petersburg with winged lions can be seen and walked along it, going to the central part of the city, to the Griboyedov Canal. The "Gryphon Miracle" connects Spassky and Kazan (located near the metro station "Nevsky Prospekt-2"). The bridge is considered one of the best ornaments of the city on the Neva.

According to historical information, bird-like cast-iron animals, 2.85 meters in height, are made in the shops of the Aleksandrovsky Ironworks. This figure includes the length of the wings. But the making of the landmark for ages has occurred in three stages: the first was a casting of the constituent parts of the hollow figure (on the backs of the beasts a joint stitch is noticeable), the second is the chasing of copper wings.

The proud guards

The third (assembly) was probably the most impressive. Especially when the first lion was "designed" - winged, powerful. They say that in the XIX century, the gilt on the fairy plumage was of pure gold (chervonnogo). In 1967 (and then in 1988), the renewal of the spraying was done by the tinsel, however, in the new millennium (namely in 2009) the precious layer was removed altogether.

But even without expensive jewelry ready to fly into St. Petersburg sky, individuals with eagle eyes and lion's grin continue to gaze proudly from opposite banks of the canal to each other and passing through the bridge people. The silent proud guard has less romantic, but important tasks. Their heads hold curved supports for lanterns with balloon shades. "Gusaks" painted bronze, gilded. At sunrise and sunset, the spark is unspeakable.

Built for ages

Authors of the project, engineers VK Tretter and VA Khristianovich, conceived the construction of a length of 28 m, a width of 2.5 m. The idea was realized with the help of the best foundry-mechanical enterprise - the Berda plant (founded by Charles Byrd in 1792) . There were made, and then assembled cast-iron and metal parts. Hollow sculptures ("winged lion") hide the "engineering kitchen" - the places of cable fastenings, mechanisms.

Despite the fact that it was just a single-span hanging design, the work was not easy. From the quality of the installation of chains, pendants, wooden linen, pylons and other components depended on the strength of the structure, which was not built for one day. During the years of service, the bridge was being repaired, but excellent basic work still causes respect for the step-by-step, thorough approach of the ancestors (in the broadest sense of the word) to everything they did.

Bring happiness

The bridge with winged lions in St. Petersburg is decorated with sculptures depicting the myths of the distant past. And what are the legends of today? Although, if you believe in miracles, you can consider this a real guarantee of success. Beliefs are based on the magical properties of griffins. So, you need to quietly approach the fantastic creatures sitting on their hind legs, and rub their "stern" on the left. The guessed wish will come true! For this, you can also try to reach at once to two lions.

It is recommended to put a coin on the paw - to increase the wealth, of course. By the way, such coins during the restoration in the cavities found a huge amount. Apparently, people tend to hope until the last and believe in the "sale of dreams." Found restorers and many notes. People asked for them in different ways: love, happiness, health, return to St. Petersburg, help with the surrender of the session and hundreds more important things. We are sure: every winged lion is sympathetic to the aspirations of the people.