During our recent stay in St. Petersburg, we experienced the mesmerizing White Nights season. To miss the bridge openings during this time would be a crime. Naturally, we couldn't pass up this wonderful spectacle and headed to the embankment near the Palace Bridge.
I should mention that all this happens after midnight (except on City Day when bridges are raised at midnight). So, it's a good idea to rest during the day. Also, a tip: it can be chilly by the riverbank, so dress warmly.
We left home in good time, walking from the "Gostiny Dvor" stop along Nevsky Prospect. There were many young people of varying sobriety out and about. As we got closer to the embankment, there were more musical groups giving concerts on a voluntary basis.
We arrived about an hour before the bridge opening, which was a big plus: we found enough space right by the parapet to watch the spectacle from ground level, not from an elevated viewpoint. Position yourself slightly diagonally from the bridge for a more panoramic and beautiful view. It's better to wait a bit than to struggle through the crowd later and miss the view. Plus, you can enjoy the view of the Peter and Paul Fortress, the nighttime Neva River, and of course, the Palace Bridge itself with its beautiful blue perimeter lighting.
Bridge Opening Schedule for 2019
- Alexander Nevsky Bridge: 02:20 - 05:10
- Birzhevoy Bridge: 02:00 - 04:55
- Blagoveshchensky Bridge: 01:25 - 02:45, 03:10 - 05:00
- Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge: 02:00 - 05:00
- Volodarsky Bridge: 02:00 - 03:45, 04:15 - 05:45
- Palace Bridge: 01:10 - 02:50, 03:10 - 04:55
- Liteyny Bridge: 01:40 - 04:45
- Troitsky Bridge: 01:20 - 04:50
- Tuchkov Bridge: 02:00 - 02:55, 03:35 - 04:55
It seemed that cars were crossing the bridge right up until the last minute—we didn't notice when they closed it off. About five to ten minutes before the bridge opening, it became impossible to move along the embankment. So, if you find a spot, hold onto it tightly and don't let yourself get pushed aside (there will be people trying).
A signal that it's about to happen is the arrival of tourist boats from all directions. And then, for a few seconds, everyone holds their breath: the bridge starts to open. Slowly, ceremoniously, and majestically, the bridge spans begin to move apart. The spectacle lasts several minutes but is unforgettable. The two huge halves of the bridge, along with their illuminated lanterns (each half has its own electrical system), parallelly move in opposite directions and after a while, settle into a tilted position. That's it—the bridge is open. Cargo ships will pass underneath it during the night.
Don't hesitate to walk onto the bridge afterward, stand directly in front of the open span—and you'll be amazed by the remarkable beauty created by human hands and minds.
People linger for a long time afterward, walking, taking photos, singing, dancing. But as always, we had plans for the next day, so we headed home. Public transport doesn't run anymore at that hour, so unless you're lucky enough to walk home, take a taxi.
Bridge openings in St. Petersburg are a spectacle so striking and memorable that you won't regret missing sleep; instead, you'll want to return to St. Petersburg during the White Nights. And one of the most memorable nights for you will be a night of bridge openings..
