Link between Asia and Europe

 Postcard recived thanks to attending RR group :) It looks way better in real!

The history of the Bosphorus Bridge is long and rich, an idea that first surfaced around 500 BC, when the Persian Emperor Darius had a pontoon bridge built so he could chase fleeing Scythians. Another pontoon bridge was built across the Dardenelles, or Hellespont, (the strait to the south of the city and the Sea of Marmara) in 480 BC. This was the bridge built by the Persian Xerxes to invade the forces of Greece and Sparta—a battle immortalized in the award-winning 2006 film, 300 These historical bridges were temporary, and no other bridge was built until the First Bridge in Istanbul Turkey was built in 1973. Until that time, all transportation across the strait was done by ferries, which today still are a major transportation link and are popular for sightseeing tours and Bosphorus river cruises.

The modern history of the Bosphorus Bridge began in 1900, when the Bosphorus Railway Company drew up plans that included a rail link between the two continents. A decision to actually build the structure was not made until 1957, by which time Turkey had become an independent republic. Construction began in 1970, and the bridge was completed a day after (October 30) the 50th anniversary of independence. The British engineering firm that designed it also designed several other famous bridges, including the Auckland Harbour Bridge in New Zealand, the Humber Bridge in England, and the Volta River Bridge in West Africa.The First Bridge in Istanbul Turkey is located closest to the Sea of Marmara, and enters Europe not far from the Galeta Kulesi Tower, the gateway to attractions of the Old City, including Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar. Since this is the route used by most tourists and the majority of business, it can be quite congested. Virtually all visitors to the city will cross over or sail under this picturesque bridge in Istanbul Turkey during their vacations. It is a beautiful sight during the day with the sublime minarets and domes of the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia in the background. At night the bridge is lit by computerized LED lights with changing patterns and colors. One of the special events in the city is the Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia Marathon held in October, one of the few times that pedestrians are allowed to cross the bridge. Many bring picnics and enjoy a day on the bridge.

Зимний дворец

Winter Palace- Saint Petersburg

Another set of postcards from Ludmila- I'm really glad that I got in touch with her. That beautiful building is the Winter Palace- former official residence of Russian monarchs. In 1917 it was stormed and that became the symbol of the Russian Revolution. Obviously the Palace is very monumental- the building is 250 m long and 30 m high and it has 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows, 1,500 rooms and 117 staircases.There was a huge fire in 1937 due to unknown cause, it destroyed most of the interior of the Palace.

The Winter Palace is home for The Hermitage Museum. The main Hall of the Museum is the Egyptian Hall with mummies :D  The second view  shows The Alexandrian Column which was erected after the Russian victory in the war with the Napoleon. It was named after the Emperor Alexander I who ruled in Russia in 1801-1825. The column is one of the most notable symbols of the city. It was created bu Auguste de Montferrand

Мост Петра́ Вели́кого

Another beautiful card from Ludmila showing Peter the Great Bridge across the Neva River.  The idea of constructing the bridge in that place was in the air long time before it was built but there had to be a tragedy to start working on it ( sounds like Poland to be honest ). In 1907 the passenger ship Arkhangelk transferring people from one bank to the other sank. Soon after it the construction works begun. The bridge was opened on 26th of June 1909- 200 years from the Battle of  Poltava where the triumphator was emperor Peter the Great and that's why the bridge got named after him.

Wonderful night view from Ludmila

Interesting fact: the bridge itself was manufactured in Warsaw by Rucki Bros and then transported and assembled! According to wikipedia the city rumor has it that one of the clenches in the bridge is made from pure gold, and colored to be the same color as the rest of clenches. It is impossible to verify, since the bridge has more than one million clenches :)

Saint Petersburg

Today the first of many postcards from wonderful city of Saint Petersburg, thanks to Ludmila!

Beautiful postcard from Ludmila

'The most abstract and intentional city in the world' as Dostoyevsky reffered, St. Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia with the population of over 4 800 000 citizens. Locals calls the city just 'Peter'

The city was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. It used to be capital of Russia in years 1713-1728 and 1732-1918. The city is located along the shores of Neva Bay and islands of the river delta.The baroccan and neo-classical buildings of the city center are well preserved. Historic City Center is listed as World Heritage Site by UNESCO

The reason why I like the city and I'd love to see it are all the refferences of the city in literature. I'm a book freak and I find russian literature the most interesting. The best book ever written is undoubtly "Master and Margarita" (of course it's my personal opinion). Another really amazing books are "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky and "Anna Karenina" by Tolsoy. 

St. Petersburg was usually claimed to be artificial, messed up, mechanical... The symbol of disorder and the city where status is the most important thing. It's hard for me to understand looking at the beautiful sights from there. Anyway since I've read "Crime and Punishment" I'm dreaming about Saint Petersburg and I hope one day in the future I'll visit it!

Tharr will be more ;)

New York City Baby!

'Magic, simply magic' as my friend said it on the postcard or dangerous metropoly where 'storing your car is safer than entering it in a demolition derby. But not much.'
I'm not sure. I have never been to NY yet. Waiting till I don't need visa for visiting the US but taking into consideration our diplomacy powers it will take some time... 
Anyway that postcard is wonderful and I'm closer to agree with my friend that there is something magical in it.


Manhattan Bridge is suspension bridge connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn. Build in 1909 it was the third of the suspension bridges across the lower East River ( what a terribe name for the river!)
The designer, Leon Moisseiff later on designed Tacoma Narrows Bridge that collapsed in 1940 (the year it was built in)

I live in the city of bridges and probably that's the reason why I like them. I want to learn more about types, construction and history of the bridges over the world. I guess the learning will start with more bridges postcards being sent to me :)