Collectible Soviet postcard from 1976 featuring a panoramic view of the Western Dvina River and the Kirov Bridge in Vitebsk.
What is shown on the postcard
The foreground shows the riverbed of the Western Dvina with a sandy shoal near the left bank. Crossing the river from left to right is the reinforced concrete three-span Kirov Bridge with arch structures. On the opposite bank, the architectural ensemble of Kirov Street is visible, designed in the Stalinist Neoclassical style, including two symmetrical residential buildings with decorative towers. The buildings and the bridge are reflected in the calm river water. The frame is bordered by tree foliage at the top and bottom.
Historical note
The Kirov Bridge was built in 1955 on the site of the Dvina Bridge, which was destroyed during World War II. The bridge was designed by architects I. Georgievsky, A. Prussov, and engineer R. Kopach. The reconstruction of the adjacent Kirov Street was carried out simultaneously, creating a grand entrance to the right-bank part of the city from the railway station. The postcard captures the established architectural appearance of the city center from the Soviet period of the mid-1970s.
Present day
Today, the Kirov Bridge and the adjacent buildings on Kirov Street preserve their historic appearance and are included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of the Republic of Belarus. The bridge remains a vital transport artery of Vitebsk, connecting the Oktyabrsky and Zheleznodorozhny districts. At night, the bridge and embankments are illuminated with modern decorative lighting.
Location (map)
Address: Kirov Bridge, Vitebsk, Belarus
Coordinates: 55.192400, 30.198300
(Google Maps)
Coordinate source: Coordinates of the Kirov Bridge in Vitebsk.
Questions and answers
- Which bridge is shown on the postcard? The postcard shows the Kirov Bridge over the Western Dvina River in Vitebsk, built in 1955.
- Who designed the bridge? The Kirov Bridge was designed by architects I. Georgievsky, A. Prussov, and engineer R. Kopach.
- Has the background architecture been preserved? Yes, the ensemble of Stalinist Neoclassical residential buildings along Kirov Street is fully preserved and holds the status of a historical and cultural value.
See also
The «Old Postcards» archive includes other views of Vitebsk from 1976.
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