Bridge of Lions Facts
The Bridge of Lions was constructed in 1927, which makes it nearly a hundred years old!
The total length of the bridge is 1,545 feet.
The Bridge of Lions is a double-leaf bascule bridge, which in simpler terms means that it’s a drawbridge that opens up multiple times throughout the day to let ships pass through underneath.
The bridge connects downtown St Augustine to Anastasia Island.
It crosses over Matanzas Bay.
Four lions guard the bridge: two on the west side and two on the east. (This is where the bridge gets its name from!)
The names of the two lions guarding the west side of the bridge are Fiel and Firme, meaning Faithful and Firm. The lions guarding the east side are Pax and Peli, which mean Peace and Happiness.
The western-side lions are exact replica copies of the famous Medici Lions in Italy.
You can walk across the Bridge of Lions (it has its own pedestrian walkway on both sides!)
Bridge of Lions History and Construction
The Bridge of Lions is known for its beautiful aesthetics and Spanish-influenced architecture as much as its function. Before its construction in 1925, there existed only a simple wooden bridge that had been built in 1895 and had been considered an “eyesore” to the surrounding community. This bridge provided the only access to Anastasia Island from downtown St. Augustine, but it operated on a toll and, after modifications made in 1904, also ran an electric trolley line. With the increase in automobile traffic in the following years, however, the need arose for a better, higher-quality, more modern, and more aesthetic bridge that could complement the growing city.
They found the answer in the Bridge of Lions, which was constructed from 1925 through 1927.
The bridge is named after the two marble lions that were placed at its west side entrance during construction. These replicas of Italy’s famous Medici Lions were gifted by Dr Andrew Anderson just before the bridge opened officially and have now been guarding the bridge for nearly 100 years!
After years of salt water corrosion, coupled with the burden of carrying millions of cars across its spans, led to substantial deterioration of the Bridge of Lions, it was temporarily closed in 2006 so that it could be rehabilitated and reconstructed. Many components of the original bridge remained, and other parts were constructed anew to look just like its predecessor. The bridge reopened again four years later on March 17, 2010, after a total $80 million construction cost.
Bridge of Lions Schedule
During weekdays, the bridge opens for boat traffic every half hour (once on the hour and once on the half-hour) between 7 AM and 6 PM, with the exception of three times–8 AM, 12 noon, and 5 PM–during which there are no openings at all.
During weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) as well as Federal holidays, the bridge opens on the top of every hour and half-hour between 7 AM and 6 PM, including 8 AM, 12 noon, and 5 PM, if requested.
After 6 PM on all days of the week, the bridge is available to be opened by ship request until 7 AM the following morning.
You can view any changes to the bridge schedule on the City of St Augustine’s Official Website.
Visiting the Bridge of Lions
The Bridge of Lions is an iconic symbol of the city of St Augustine, Florida, as well as one of its top tourist attractions, and you absolutely must come see it for yourself if you visit the city!
The bridge features a pedestrian walkway on both sides of the road, so it’s easy and safe to walk across the full length of the bridge and back. It will be just under a mile to walk to fully cross and return.
While you’re on the bridge, the views of both downtown St Augustine and Anastasia Island look amazing! Don’t forget to check out the Bay of Matanzas below you and the Castello de San Marcos, which can be seen sitting along the water’s edge not far off in the distance.
St Augustine Lighthouse Seen from the Bridge
Although it’s far off in the distance and rather small, you can see the St Augustine Lighthouse from the Bridge of Lions! The lighthouse is located on Anastasia Island, which is connected to downtown St Augustine by the beautiful bridge. The photo below is one I took of the lighthouse while standing in the very center of the bridge.
The St Augustine Seawall
A walk along the historic St Augustine Seawall is one of the more relaxing ways to experience the bridge and bay. You can find a historic sign marker just steps away from the bridge’s famous lion statues. The sea wall is an integral part of St Augustine history, having guarded America’s Oldest Seaport from both invasion and rough waters for hundreds of years.
The Spanish built the first seawall from 1695 to 1705, and it lasted over a century. By 1821, when Florida became a territory of the United States, the seawall had deteriorated considerably, so a new one was built from coquina rock between 1833 and 1844.
Time and weather once again took its toll on the structure, and a new and final seawall was once again constructed from 2012 to 2013, finishing in July after a total of $6.7 million had been spent on the project. Constructed of concrete and reinforced steel, this wall was built twelve feet into the water from the old seawall so that the historic integrity of the old one could be protected and preserved. The gap between the two walls has been filled in and paved to become a walking path and waterfront promenade, so it’s easy to miss the old wall if you’re not looking or paying attention. Look for the old historic marker near the Bridge of Lions to help find your way!
Other Things to See
Check out the pirate ship parked in the bay right by the bridge! It’s typically always there unless it’s out on a pirate cruise (and you can choose to take part in that cruise as well, if you’d like!)
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