Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge

Have you ever wondered about the architecture of Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge? Standing here, gazing at its strong granite facade, you might be tempted to think it was always here, an integral part of the Moscow skyline, but that’s not entirely true. The Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, which stretches across the Moskva River, stands on the site of a much older bridge that was once a prominent part of Moscow’s history. The first bridge, built in the 1800s, was completely made of wood. The bridge was wooden for a reason. The early Moscow city didn’t have the resources for a permanent stone arch.
The Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge was built in the 1930s. The city was transforming rapidly, and the old wooden bridge was simply incapable of handling the increasing traffic. The bridge was built by Alexey Shchusev, a famous architect who worked on many significant structures in the capital. Its construction was a huge undertaking that required the tearing down of nearby buildings and the relocation of residents. This bridge is a concrete structure, but Alexey Shchusev cleverly finished it in granite slabs to make it look like stone. This bold decision helped the bridge seamlessly blend into the historical skyline.
Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge is more than just a sturdy transit route though. You are standing in a spot rich with historical and tragic events. In 1987 a German pilot named Mathias Rust landed his small plane on the bridge, a stunt that shocked the world. Some say he even landed on the bridge’s archway, which would be an even more incredible feat. However, there are other historical accounts that mention Rust’s airplane landing on the bridge but not directly on its archway. In more recent times, in February 2015, the bridge became the backdrop to a political assassination. Boris Nemtsov, a Russian opposition leader, was fatally shot here. He’d been an outspoken critic of the Russian government.
This iconic bridge stands guard over the Moskva River and the Kremlin, serving as a vibrant reminder of Moscow’s rich history. It is a bridge with a story etched into its very foundations. Walk across it, feel the history, and let the story flow through you.