Bridge of the Cross

On May 26, 1776, the Empress gave the order “to build in the village of Tsarskoye, in the New Garden through the canal and to the Capriza, a stone Chinese gazebo on arches, for four shoots” with crimson cladding, blue and yellow glazed bricks. The architect Neelov borrowed the project of the bridge from the architects-brothers V. and D. Halfpenny, popular in those days for the work of “Rural architecture in Chinese Taste”. The construction required great originality and attention to detail from Neelov and his son, the bridge was completed only in 1779, the Empress was delighted with the work received. The bridge is located at the Cross Canal, on its corner and next to the entrance to Alexander Park. The bridge, though small in size, is monumental because of the correct proportions. The majestic semi-arches formed an observation deck on which a pavilion is equipped with lining from colored glazed bricks of the manufacturer Conradi. The path to the pavilion is lined with twenty steps of granite slabs, marble is also used in the decoration.

In the Pavilion, high-altitude pointed windows are cut, and the roof is curved in Chinese, painted under “fish scales” and topped with a spire.