One of the first and most famous bridges in Saint Petersburg is the Anichkov Bridge. Among the three bridges crossing Nevsky Avenue, the most memorable one is this bridge across the Fontanka River, due to its glorious equestrian sculptures made by P.K. Klodt. The Anichkov Bridge is named after the engineer lieutenant-colonel Mikhail Anichkov, whose regiment was stationed in this area and built this crossing. The current bridge, put up in 1841-42 and reconstructed in 1906-08, combines a simple form with some spectacular decorations. Alongside its famous horse sculptures (1849–50), the bridge boasts one of the most celebrated and ornate iron railings in Saint Petersburg, which was mentioned in the works of Pushkin, Gogol and Dostoevsky.

Nowadays, Anichkov bridge is almost 55 meters long, 37.9 meters wide and consists of three spans.

During the Siege of Leningrad the bridge suffered significant damage by artillery attacks.

Granite parapets and railing sections were damaged. The crossing became a monument to the Blockade: the granite pedestal under one of the horse sculptures was intentionally not restored and nowadays you may see the marks from German artillery fire on the stone.