Obvodny Canal in Saint Petersburg:
history, secrets, modern times

Saint Petersburg is a city of rivers and canals that cut through its body like arteries and veins. And if the Neva is the main waterway, then the Obvodny Canal is its faithful assistant and keeper of many secrets. Today we will dive into the fascinating history of this man-made miracle, which has been carrying its waters around the center of the Northern capital for almost 200 years.

History of the construction of the Obvodny Canal

The idea of creating the Obvodny Canal belongs to Peter I himself. He planned to connect the Neva with the Yekateringofka to protect the city from floods and create an additional shipping route. However, this idea was never realized during the emperor’s lifetime.

The first stage of construction took place in 1769-1780. At that time, part of the channel from Yekateringofka to Ligovsky Prospect was dug. The second stage began only in 1805 and lasted until 1833. During this time, the Obvodny Canal was extended to the Monastyrka River. And finally, from 1861 to 1886, the third, final stage of construction took place.

Thus, the creation of the longest artificial reservoir in St. Petersburg lasted more than a century. Its total length was 8.5 km, width – from 21.3 to 42.6 m, depth – up to 3 m. The embankments of the canal were reinforced with granite, and the banks were landscaped and improved.

Bridges and attractions along the Obvodny Canal

There are 15 bridges across the Obvodny Canal – 5 pedestrian, 6 automobile and 4 railway. Most of them were built in the late 19th – early 20th centuries and are architectural and engineering monuments. The most famous are:

• The Ataman Bridge is one of the first all-metal bridges in Russia, created according to the design of engineer V.A. Bers;
• Borisov Bridge is the only three-span bridge across the Obvodny Canal, decorated with elegant lanterns;
• The Warsaw Bridge is the oldest reinforced concrete bridge in St. Petersburg, across which the Warsaw Railway runs;
• The Novo-Kamenny Bridge is the longest bridge on the canal (55.2 m), distinguished by its massive granite cladding.

Along the embankments of the Obvodny Canal there are dozens of historical buildings that preserve the spirit of old St. Petersburg. Here you will see former apartment buildings, factories, schools, as well as religious buildings of various faiths. Among the most striking sights:

• New Holland is a former prison and now a trendy art space with a park, galleries, and cafes;
• The Street Art Museum is the largest street art museum in Russia, located in a functioning laminated plastics factory;
• The Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Savior on Spilled Blood) is one of the most recognizable cathedrals in St. Petersburg, built on the site of the assassination of Alexander II;
• The Chapel of Saint Xenia the Blessed is a shrine and place of pilgrimage in the Smolensk Cemetery, where the relics of the saint rest.

A walk along the Obvodny Canal is a great way to get an impression of the “non-ceremonial” St. Petersburg and to touch its rich history and culture.

Legends and mysticism of the Obvodny Canal

Like many places in St. Petersburg, the Obvodny Canal is shrouded in legends and mystical stories. They say that ghosts are often seen here and the presence of otherworldly forces is felt.

One of the most famous legends is connected with the Novo-Kamenny Bridge. According to legend, in the 19th century a duel took place here between a retired officer and a young poet. The reason for the quarrel was a beautiful lady, with whom both were in love. The duel ended tragically – the poet was killed. Since then, his ghost appears on the bridge on moonlit nights, reciting poems about unhappy love.

Another story tells of a merchant goldsmith who had a workshop not far from the Obvodny Canal. They said that his products brought misfortune to their owners. And all because the merchant worshiped dark forces and entered into a conspiracy with the evil spirit. In the end, the townspeople smashed his shop, and the goldsmith himself was thrown into the waters of the canal. Now his spirit wanders along the embankments and lures passers-by closer to the water.

The fact that there are several cemeteries along the canal – Mitrofanievskoye, Gromovskoye, Smolenskoye – adds to the mysticism. According to legends, at midnight the dead come to life here and dance in circles in the cemeteries. And especially impressionable natures see grave crosses on the water and hear funeral chants.

Walks along the Obvodny Canal: rent a boat with a captain

To fully enjoy the impressive views and soak up the atmosphere of the Obvodny Canal, we recommend taking a ride on a comfortable boat. The company "Fleet of Petersburg" offers boat rental in St. Petersburg with a captain for excursions and events on the water.

You will be able to choose a suitable route and cruise duration, see the sights and take spectacular photos. And most importantly, hear a fascinating story from a professional guide about the history, legends and secrets of the Obvodny Canal.

A trip by water will allow you to immerse yourself in the special atmosphere of this place, feel its energy and character. It is not for nothing that the Obvodny Canal is called the soul of non-ceremonial Petersburg, its industrial past and creative present.