Construction of the Alexander (Syzransky) Bridge across the Volga. 1876-1880
Строительство Александровского (Сызранского) Моста через волгу 1876-1880 гг

Here I present a fascinating album of photographs of the construction of the bridge over the River Volga. The opening of the Orenburg railway was a milestone in Russian history as it opened up the continent for transporting Russian goods to Asian markets. Before the bridge was constructed, all passengers & cargo were transported by ferry across the Volga in summer & carriages across the ice in winter.

The bridge's construction was overseen by Emperor Alexander II. The metal spans came from Belgium sand were set upon local limestone supports.
The 1.5 km bridge had 13 spans of 111 feet each and cost 7 million rubles.
In 1918, the retreating White Guard blew up the second & third span and during the Great Patriotic War , being of such strategic significance, was defended by ant-aircraft batteries, and an entire squadron of fighter planes. In 1957 a second track was added to the bridge.

Music from "A Dream on the Volga" by A. Arensky

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