157. St. Petersburg Bridges - Potseluev Bridge

Potseluev Bridge crosses the Moyka River at the western side of the city center, approximately a block past Yusupov Palace. It's a popular spot for pictures, because St. Isaac's Cathedral is in the background when you look east across the bridge. A bridge has been located here since 1738. The current span was constructed in 1816 and refurbished in 1960. One of the reasons I was interested in visiting this bridge is that it's featured in the wrapper artwork on one of the best flavors of chocolate bar from my favorite Russian chocolate brand.

Potseluev Most translates to the "Kissing Bridge" in English. Several web sites claim this to be a popular spot for newlyweds and sweethearts to kiss, to bring good luck to the relationship. This strikes me as apocryphal; there are many other equally picturesque bridges in the city, and with much less vehicle traffic. This is a busy thoroughfare that does not seem like an especially great spot for wedding pictures or romantic moments. I certainly didn't see anyone kissing the several times I've been near the bridge or crossed it. In fact, the bridge does not actually take its name from the romantic moments it inspires. During the late 1700s, a tavern was located at one end of the bridge which was run by a proprietor named Potseluev.