Dragon Bridge-one of the historical bridges Alexander Park of the former Tsarskoye Selo (now the Pushkin city of St. Petersburg).
This is the most unusual bridge in the park.
It is located on the main axis of the Alexander Park, and is spanned by the Krestovy Canal.
In the documents of the late 18th century, this bridge is called the bridge "with monstrous figures".
The Dragon Bridge was built in 1785 according to the project of Charles Cameron on the alley leading from the Alexander Palace, in front of the entrance to the Menagerie (now the Arsenal Pavilion with the museum).
The figures of dragons are installed on the bridge, thanks to which it received its current name "Dragons" and the architecture of the bridge reflects the fascination with China, characteristic of Russia at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
When the bridge was built, during the reign of Empress Catherine II, the figures of dragons were made of limestone. The existing cast-iron dragons were cast in 1860 according to the models of the sculptor I. Schwartz.
The main decorations of the bridge are four expressive figures of winged dragons mounted on granite pedestals. The dragons ' paws are stretched out, their tails bend in steep loops, and their torsos, resembling human ones, are proudly put forward.
From the Dragon Bridge there are beautiful views of the Cross Canal of the Alexander Park.
Practical information
The Dragon Bridge is located in Alexander Park, Pushkin, St. Petersburg.
The Alexander Park, together with the Alexander Palace, belong to the State Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoye Selo".
Entrance to the park is free (free of charge).
We recommend checking the working hours of the park, as well as the conditions of visiting, on the website of the State Museum-Reserve "Tsarskoye Selo": tzar.ru.
You can visit Tsarskoye Selo with one of the excursions
You can find out about all the ways to get to Pushkin from St. Petersburg (the airport and the city center) here →
In Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo) you can stay
The 5-star Pevcheskaya Tower Hotel offers restaurants, a bar, a rooftop observation deck, free Wi-Fi and parking.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 5-star luxury spa hotel "Tsar Palace Luxury Hotel & SPA"is located in a historic building.
The hotelhas a spa center with a swimming pool, a hammam, a salt sauna, a snow fountain, steam baths and a gym; free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, 2 restaurants, a lobby bar, private parking and meeting and conference rooms.
The rooms are equipped with climate control, a mini-bar, a safe and a private bathroom.
A buffet breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
3-star hotel Ekaterina, located on the territory of the Catherine Palace and Park Ensemble.
At the hotel: 24-hour front desk, cafe, free Wi-Fi and parking.
The rooms are equipped with: air conditioning, TV, work desk and free toiletries.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
All accommodation facilities in St. Petersburg, including in the city center and in Pushkin, can be viewed and booked here
