Not every city can boast of a historical monument that is over 200 years old. The picturesque bridge in the city of Kaluga is almost two and a half centuries old. Once it connected the city center with its outskirts. Tourists love this bright attraction of the "Golden Ring" of Russia, so you can always meet travelers with cameras near it.
The history of the bridge
The bridge was designed and built by Peter Romanovich Nikitin. Outwardly, it is very similar to the bridge structures that the ancient Romans erected over gorges and river valleys, therefore, most likely, the Russian architect used the drawings of the Roman viaducts as a model.
A bird's eye view of the stone bridge
Construction went under the governor - Count Mikhail Nikitovich Krechetnikov and took three years. In 1780, a beautiful and solid bridge appeared over the Berezuisky ravine.
For more than two centuries it was rebuilt several times. The first reconstruction took place in the 40s of the XIX century. At first, there were 28 shops along the bridge selling food, fabrics and household items. Then the city authorities considered that trade spoils the appearance. All the shops were dismantled, and cast-iron forged gratings were erected at the edges.
For a long time people walked and rode the bridge across the bridge, so it was designed for horse-drawn transport. At the beginning of the last century, the first cars appeared in Kaluga. The tires required a new surface, and in 1910 the road over the bridge was modernized. The entire length of the canvas was poured with concrete.
In this form, the bridge stood until 1975, when it was declared unusable. It was decided to carry out repairs, but the state did not find money for this. It was economically unprofitable to close the bridge. The city authorities re-examined and found the stone bridge ... intact.
Despite the paperwork, the old monument was wearing out more and more every year. Finally, in April 2009, when the lighting was being repaired, part of the path where people were walking collapsed. After the accident, the bridge was closed for traffic and pedestrians, and a long period of restoration of the bridge structure began.
The opening of the old bridge took place in 2010. First, a team of horses drove over it, and then a trolleybus was launched across the bridge. Now Kaluga residents are planning to clear the ravine from thickets and make several viewing platforms.
View of the bridge from the Berezuisky ravine
Architectural features
The stone bridge is a wonderful example of Russian classicism. It stretches for 160 m and has a maximum height of 20 m. The width of the structure is 14 m, 8 m of track are allocated for traffic.
An impressive view of the Oka River opens up from above. The historical monument has 15 large arches, three middle ones are two-story. The bridge is surrounded by cast-iron forged gratings, which did not appear here immediately, but in the 1840s. There used to be a stream under the bridge, but it had dried up long ago.
View of the forged lattice of the bridge
Useful information for tourists
The bridge has the status of a federal cultural heritage site. The historical monument can be visited as part of a tourist group or independently. No protection or special regime is provided. This is the most common city bridge with an interesting history of construction and restoration. The time for inspection is not limited, you can come whenever you want.
On weekends and on holidays, you can see elegant wedding processions near the Birch Ravine. Newlyweds come here to take memorable photos. It is believed that if the newly-made husband carries his malted wife across the bridge in his arms, the marriage will certainly be happy.
View of the canvas of the Stone Bridge
Earlier there was a tradition when the bride and groom hung locks on the railing and threw the keys into the stream. Now wedding rituals are performed near the ravine, where a beautiful metal tree has been installed for this.
How to get there
The old bridge is located in the city center, near Bazhenov Street. From the railway and bus station of Kaluga you can get here by buses No. 1, 2 and 3. You need to get off at the stop "Kamenny Most".
Information sources:
- Wikipedia, Stone Bridge (Kaluga)
- Tourist Information Center "Kaluga Region", Kamenny Most
- Kultura.rf, Stone Bridge
- Kaluga 24, Stone bridge
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