The History Behind The Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine

Built to transport cars across the Intracoastal Waterway, this iconic bridge also manages to transport visitors to another time.

Discovering the Bridge of Lions: A Timeless Treasure in St. Augustine

Walk across St. Augustine’s most iconic gateway—the Bridge of Lions—and you’ll find yourself stepping through history. Spanning the Matanzas River with elegance and grace, this nearly century-old drawbridge is more than a route between downtown St. Augustine and Anastasia Island—it’s a symbol of artistry, community pride, and the enduring spirit of the Nation’s oldest city.

A Bridge Born of the Roaring ​’20s

The Bridge of Lions rose from the optimism of Florida’s 1920s land boom. Constructed between 1925 and 1927, it was designed not merely as a traffic route, but as a statement of beauty and ambition. Its Mediterranean Revival design, adorned with intricate details and rounded arches, reflects a time when even public infrastructure was built to inspire. When it opened in 1927, the bridge was instantly celebrated as one of the South’s most beautiful crossings, a title it still holds nearly 100 years later.

As its bascule (drawbridge) design lifts gracefully for passing boats, visitors can glimpse the perfect blend of function and form that defines St. Augustine’s charm—a reminder that progress and heritage can harmonize.

Guardians of the Gateway

Flanking the western entrance stand two majestic Carrara marble lions—Fiel (“Faithful”) and Firme (“Firm”)—gifted by Dr. Andrew Anderson II, a local physician and philanthropist. Modeled after the famous Medici lions of Florence, they’ve watched over the city since the bridge’s opening in 1927.

Their family grew in 2015 when local residents Wolfgang and Miki Schau donated two new granite lions, Pax (“Peace”) and Peli (“Happiness”), to mark St. Augustine’s 450th anniversary. These newer guardians now greet visitors from the eastern side, creating a symbolic quartet that represents strength, serenity, and joy.

History Preserved

After decades of exposure to salt air and tides, the bridge underwent an extensive restoration between 2005 and 2010. Crews dismantled and rebuilt it piece by piece, preserving original features while reinforcing it for the future. When the restored span reopened, the marble lions triumphantly returned to their pedestals in 2011.

Now, as St. Augustine undertakes a major seawall improvement project, the beloved lions have once again been carefully removed for preservation. They’ll rest safely while experts restore them, returning to their posts when the work wraps up—likely by late 2028. Even in their temporary absence, their presence is deeply felt, a testament to how much these sentinels mean to the people of this city.

An Experience Worth the Walk

A stroll across the Bridge of Lions—about a mile round trip—is one of the simplest pleasures in St. Augustine. You’ll see sailboats drift below, pelicans gliding overhead, and the sun casting gold across the city’s waterfront. It’s a rare place where history, art, and everyday life meet, and where each crossing feels like a moment suspended in time.

Whether you visit at sunrise or twilight, take a moment mid-span to pause. Look toward the city’s skyline, listen to the hum of the wind, and you’ll understand why the Bridge of Lions remains St. Augustine’s most beloved landmark—a connection not just between shores, but between past and present.

The Bridge of Lions is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is on every visitors list of must-do experiences while in St. Augustine.

Related Stories