Bridge of Lions Photography Guide

About the Bridge of Lions

The Bridge of Lions is St. Augustine's most recognizable landmark—a Mediterranean Revival drawbridge connecting downtown to Anastasia Island across Matanzas Bay. Construction began in 1925 during the extravagant Florida land boom of the 1920s and was completed in 1927. Unlike the utilitarian bridges built elsewhere, this one was designed as a work of art, costing ten times more than ordinary bridges of the era.

Henry Rodenbaugh, vice president and bridge expert for Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway, is considered the "Father of the Bridge of Lions." He organized the bond issue, selected the engineering firm J.E. Greiner Company to design it, and had his young daughter Jean pour the first bucket of concrete. The bridge was completed after the land boom bust, and the cash-strapped dedication ceremony had to be combined with the annual Ponce de León Celebration.

Architecture & Design

The bridge's Mediterranean Revival style was intentionally chosen to harmonize with St. Augustine's Spanish colonial architecture. Its most striking features include octagonal towers capped with Spanish-style tiled roofs, graceful arches, and ornate decorative lampposts. The structure spans 1,545 feet with 24 spans, including a central double-leaf bascule (drawbridge) mechanism that provides 83 feet of clearance for boats passing through.

The bridge takes its name from the two marble lion statues guarding its western approach—replicas of the famous Medici lions in Florence, Italy. Named "Firm" and "Faithful," they were donated by former St. Augustine Mayor Dr. Andrew Anderson. In 2015, two new granite lions named "Pax" and "Peli" (Peace and Happiness) were added to the east side, donated by residents Wolfgang and Miki Schau to commemorate St. Augustine's 450th anniversary.

Historic Significance

The Bridge of Lions earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. From 2005 to 2010, it underwent an $80 million renovation to preserve its historic character while improving structural safety. A temporary bridge carried traffic during restoration, and that structure was later sunk offshore to create an artificial reef.

Why Photographers Love This Location

The Bridge of Lions offers multiple vantage points for photography. The bayfront promenade along Avenida Menéndez provides unobstructed views of the bridge with Matanzas Bay in the background—ideal for golden hour portraits. The St. Augustine Municipal Marina offers a different perspective with sailboats in the foreground, while the Vilano causeway delivers the classic postcard view with downtown St. Augustine in the distance.

The bridge's east-west orientation makes it spectacular at both sunrise and sunset. Morning light illuminates the towers and creates reflections on the bay, while sunset paints the sky in oranges and pinks behind the downtown silhouette. Blue hour after sunset is prime time for long-exposure shots with the bridge lights glowing and car headlights creating light trails.

During Nights of Lights season (mid-November through January), the bridge and surrounding area sparkle with millions of white lights—a magical backdrop for holiday engagement sessions and family portraits that capture St. Augustine at its most festive.

Where to Shoot the Lions

The two original Carrara marble lions, "Firm" and "Faithful," sit at the bridge's western (downtown) approach, facing the bayfront—so that's where you'll frame the classic lion portraits, with the 2015 granite lions "Pax" and "Peli" anchoring the Anastasia Island end. We do most of our work from the bayfront seawall and promenade along Avenida Menéndez rather than on the bridge itself; the bridge sidewalks are narrow and busy with traffic, so they're better for quick detail shots than full sessions.

Permits & Parking

The bayfront seawall and Avenida Menéndez are public space, and a quick couple or family portrait session there is rarely an issue. That said, the City of St. Augustine does issue film/video/photography permits for use of public property, and the published guidelines don't spell out a size threshold for portrait sessions—so for a larger shoot, or if you simply want to be certain, check with the city's Event and Venue Coordinator (904-825-1004) before you go. For parking, use the metered street spaces along Avenida Menéndez or the public garage near the Plaza de la Constitución; metered parking downtown is enforced.