Vilnius cross two rivers Vilija (Neris) and Vilnia (Vileyka). And the most important part of the city, its history and present worth considering one of the bridges over the river Vilija connecting Vilniaus street (in Soviet times L. Giros street) street Calvary (in Soviet times Dzerzhinsky Street).

The bridge, according to written sources, the end of the XIV century, was the first wood and survived a lot of destruction and rebirth. Over the past century, it has had several names: Murowana, Great Vilna, Chernyakhovsky Bridge, Green Bridge.

In 1529 the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania Sigismund the Old was instructed to build a stone bridge, but this plan was launched only in 1536. The right to build the bridge and receive fares, Vilna was granted the mayor Ulrich Goziusu.

He was elevated on massive wooden pillars of stone. Like many medieval bridges, he not only served as the means of communication between the parts of the city, but there was a bridge, streets, bridges, markets, having on both sides of the gate. Across the bridge could move only by paying a substantial amount. The gates were collectors, collecting fares, frequent quarrels, often comes to shove off the road. On the bridge it was also located retail shops, schepnoy covered roof on the second floor which housed apartments for examiners and customs.

The river Vilija in the past was pretty full-flowing, during spring floods namyvali sand bars, ice rafts and undermined the construction of the bridge, which led to nearly complete its replacement in 1621. After just 34 years old, during the Russian-Polish war it was burnt by Polish troops during their retreat.

In 1674 the bridge was rebuilt by Colonel royal service engineer John. B. Fridiani. But his design was not strong enough and spring floods hit him serious damage. Memorable for him was in 1766, when a construction project was adopted Maurach, at the same time the bridge was painted in green, since it bears its name green. Along the edges of the bridge were installed stone gate.

In the second half of the XVIII century, is often a terrible fire ravaged the city in 1791, a fire destroyed many of the buildings of the city and the bridge, which was rebuilt only after 14 years. Residents had to use a long time to cross the ferry.

During the War of 1812. Green Bridge was burned by retreating Russian troops before the onset of the French army. Napoleon's army had erected a temporary bridge on pontoons. Only in 1829 it was built more substantial structure with arches on three stone fortifications.

More durable metal bridge was built in the years 1893-1894 at the expense of the city and zemstvo. The project is owned by Professor NA Belelyubsky. Now, it was built with a single-span metal trusses, from the former type has remained only the green color, which became a tradition for the bridge.

In 1944, war again, did not spare this construction, the Germans blew up the bridge during the retreat. In the postwar years, 1948-1952, when the economy was recovering rapidly, the bridge was built by Soviet military and engineering of the Baltic Military District. He was given the name of General ID Chernyakhovsky. Then the main theme of art, architecture is the pathos of heroic labor and advocacy topics so the bridge is created in the spirit of that time-span, on the grounds lined with granite, with cast-iron railings decorated with artistic casting it sculptural groups.

On the granite sockets in the corners of the bridge are figures depicting: students, soldiers, farmers and workers. The bridge is nearly 103 m, width - 24 m, height above water level - 15 m.

The authors of the project are architect V. Anikin, the designer E. Popova, sculptors B. Pundzyus, Mikenas, P.Vayvad, N. Pyatrulis, B. Bucas, Kedaynis Yu, B. Vishnyauskas.

The original attraction of our time are the embankments of the river near the Green Bridge: in the summer they are "recognized one another in love." Because colors are created inscriptions in Lithuanian, "I love you", "I love you." The "Beach of Love" created by artist Gityanisom Umbrasas the spring of 2000.