Palace Bridge
Дворцовый мост
A drawbridge linking the Winter Palace with Vasilievsky Island, whose spans rise slowly in the small hours during the white nights, the city's most iconic night view.
The Palace Bridge was built in 1916 and connects Admiralty Island, where the Winter Palace stands, with Vasilievsky Island. It is the most famous drawbridge on the Neva. During the navigation season (roughly April to November), to let large ships pass, its two leaves rise at around 01:10 each night and lower again around 05:00. The times are as officially announced and may vary. During the summer white nights, the bridge opens under a pale pink sky, the banks fill with spectators, and some boat tours depart in the small hours specifically to watch it. Note that traffic on both sides of the river is cut off while the bridge is open, so visitors staying on the other side should head back in advance; the metro closes at around 00:30. The Palace Embankment, the Spit and the Winter Palace side all offer good viewpoints.
Opening hours
Open to traffic all day; bridge openings approx. 01:10–02:50 and 03:10–05:00 (navigation season)
Nearby sights
- Kunstkamera
- Spit of Vasilyevsky Island & Rostral Columns
- State Hermitage Museum / Winter Palace
- Saint Isaac's Cathedral
- Palace Square & Alexander Column
- Bronze Horseman
- Nevsky Prospekt
- Peter and Paul Fortress