Plizio Visual Lab
Palace Bridge
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
bridge
The Palace Bridge is one of the unmistakable symbols of Saint Petersburg and a marvel of engineering spanning the Neva River. It connects the central Palace Square with Vasilyevsky Island, playing a vital role in the city's transport and urban structure. Built between 1912 and 1916 according to the designs of engineer Andrzej Pszenicki, it was not fully completed with its current cast-iron railings and architectural details until 1939. With a total length of 250 meters and a weight of approximately 700 tons, it is one of the heaviest drawbridges in the world. The nightly opening of the bridge during the navigation season, when the two massive central spans rise at a steep angle into the sky, is a spectacular event. Especially during the famous 'White Nights' in early summer, thousands of tourists and locals gather along the embankments to watch this magical spectacle set against the backdrop of the Peter and Paul Fortress.
- Location: Russia
- Top sights: Palace Bridge · Rostral Column · Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences
- Nearby: Staraya Derevnya (8 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -9 | -8 | -3 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 5 | -1 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 49 | 41 | 43 | 52 | 69 | 90 | 98 | 98 | 63 | 73 | 66 | 58 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
The Palace Bridge is freely accessible to pedestrians and vehicles at all times, offering excellent views of the Winter Palace and Peter and Paul Fortress as you cross the Neva. During the nightly ship opening, access to the raised section is restricted; you can only watch the spectacle from the embankments.
Typical hours
The bridge typically opens at night for maritime traffic during the navigation season, usually between 1:00 and 5:00 AM. Exact times vary seasonally and are published by the city; check the current schedule before your visit.
Photography
Photography is allowed on the bridge and from the embankments; night shots during the bridge opening are especially popular. Use a tripod for sharp long exposures due to low light conditions.
Time needed
Crossing the bridge on foot takes about 15-30 minutes, plus extra time if you wait for the opening. Allow around one hour for a thorough visit including the embankments.
Combine with
Combine the visit with a walk to Vasilyevsky Island (Rostral Columns) or the Winter Palace. The nearby Admiralty Embankment and Palace Square are also within walking distance.
Getting there
The bridge is located in central St. Petersburg, easily reached by metro (Nevsky Prospekt or Admiralteyskaya stations). It connects the city center with Vasilyevsky Island - best accessed on foot or by public transport.
Insider tip
Arrive about 20 minutes before the scheduled bridge opening to secure a good spot on the embankment. Check the city's official website for the exact schedule, as it changes monthly.
Geography
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Palace Bridge (5)
Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences🏛 museum
Collection of about 30,000 animal specimens, one of the three largest in the world.
Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography🏛 museum
Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Gardens of the Winter Palace🌳 park
Garden in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
When do the bridges open?
During the nights in the navigation season.
Is watching it free?
Yes, very well from the river embankments.
When is the best time for photos?
During the White Nights in June.
How long does the opening take?
The process takes only a few minutes.
Where is the best viewpoint?
From the bank with the Winter Palace in the background.
Palace Bridge: where is it located?
Palace Bridge is located in Russia.
Palace Bridge: what is there to see?
Highlights include Palace Bridge, Rostral Column, Zoological Museum of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Palace Bridge: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Palace Bridge: why is it worth visiting?
The Palace Bridge is one of the unmistakable symbols of Saint Petersburg and a marvel of engineering spanning the Neva River.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Russia →
Nearby cities
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of Russia and a major global center for politics, economics, and culture.
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and served as the capital of the Russian Empire for a long time.
Voronezh
Voronezh is a major city in southwestern Russia, located on the Voronezh River near its confluence with the Don.
Yaroslavl
Yaroslavl is part of Russia's Golden Ring and is located at the confluence of the Volga and Kotorosl rivers.
Ryazan
Ryazan is a historic city southeast of Moscow and is known for its magnificent Kremlin.
Lipetsk
Lipetsk is located in central Russia on the Voronezh River.
Kursk
Kursk is located in southwestern Russia and is known for the magnetic anomaly in its region.
Bryansk
Bryansk is located in western Russia on the Desna River and is a major industrial center.
Tver
Tver is located at the confluence of the Volga and Tvertsa rivers and was a powerful principality in the Middle Ages, rivaling Moscow.
Ivanovo
Ivanovo is known worldwide as the center of the Russian textile industry and is often referred to as the City of Brides.
Vladimir
Vladimir was the capital of Russia in the Middle Ages and is now part of the Golden Ring.
Arkhangelsk
Arkhangelsk is located in northern Russia at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River into the White Sea.
Belgorod
Belgorod is located in southwestern Russia near the Ukrainian border.
Kaluga
Kaluga is located southwest of Moscow on the Oka River.
Smolensk
Smolensk is one of the oldest cities in Russia, located on the upper Dnieper River near the Belarusian border.
History & landmarks
Kolomna
An ancient city famous for its preserved Kremlin and traditional apple pastila treats.
Murom
An ancient Russian city on the Oka River, known as the home of the epic hero Ilya Muromets.
Vyshny Volochyok
Known as the 'Venice of the North', this city is famous for its complex 18th-century canal system.
Torzhok
A historical town famous for its gold embroidery and classicist architecture.
Tutayev
A unique Volga town divided into two banks without a bridge, preserving two distinct historical atmospheres.
Pereslavl-Zalessky
A historic city on Lake Pleshcheyevo, the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky and the cradle of the Russian Navy.
Uglich
A picturesque town on the Volga River, known for the tragic history of Tsarevich Dmitry.
Kasimov
A fascinating town where Russian Orthodox and Tatar Islamic cultures have coexisted for centuries.