Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge

Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge (Russian: Большой Москворецкий мост) is a cоncrete arch bridge that spans Moskva River in Moscow, Russia, immeditely east of Moscow Kremlin. The bridge connects Red Square with Bolshaya Ordynka street in Zamoskvorechye. It was built in 1936-1937, designed by V. S. Kirillov (structural engineering) and Alexey Shchusev (architectural design).

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Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge

Moskvoretsky bridge (1829/1872, demolished)

Wooden bridges east of Kremlin existed since fifteenth century (as witnessed by Venetian Ambrosio de Contarini, who travelled through Moscow in 1476). The first permanent Moskvoretsky bridge was built in 1829 about 50 meters west from present site. Three wooden arches, each 28 meters long, were based on stone pillars. It was remotely based on Kamennooostrovsky Bridge in Saint Petersburg designed by Agustín de Betancourt. The bridge burnt down in 1871; after the fire, steel arches and deck were installed on old pillars.

Bolshoy Мoskvoretsky bridge (1937)

In 1935-1938, all bridges in downtown Moscow were replaced with high capacity bridges. Moskvoretsky Bridge was the first to be completed, and the only concrete bridge of 1930s. The bridge was placed west of the old site; blocks of Zaryadye and Balchug were razed to make way for construction. Main arch consists of three concrete boxes, 92 meters long and 6.1 meters high (this is the narrowest point of Moskva River); each arch over embankment is 42.8 meters. Total width - 40.0 meters (8 lanes), total width with approach ramps - 554 meters. Alexey Shchusev finished the bridge in pink granite slabs to make an illusion that the bridge is actually built in stone.