Across the Karasta River stands the Slobodskoy Bridge. It’s a bridge with a dual identity, both vehicular and pedestrian. It gracefully connects Lomonosov, a historic town. The Slobodskoy Bridge itself isn’t ancient. However, its history intertwines with the much older Palace Bridge, which existed here in the 18th century. The name “Slobodskoy Bridge” echoes this earlier structure, the Palace Bridge. This bridge is a namesake, a descendant of sorts. The original Palace Bridge served the grand palaces of Oranienbaum. The current Slobodskoy Bridge stretches 38.3 meters across and stands 8.4 meters tall. It’s a relatively recent addition to the Lomonosov landscape. The Slobodskoy Bridge was officially named in 2009. Before that, it existed without a name, simply a bridge over Karasta. It represents a link between the past and present. The Slobodskoy Bridge serves as a reminder of Oranienbaum’s rich history. It’s a testament to the enduring need to connect places and people.
М. К. Прудников
Born into a peasant family in 1913, Mikhail Prudnikov’s journey began in a small village nestled within the Tomsk Governorate.