The oldest stone viaduct in Russia is the Kaluga Stone Bridge, built in 1785 at the request of the first governor of the Kaluga province, Mikhail Nikitich Krechetikov. The bridge was designed by the famous architect Pyotr Romanovich Nikitin in the style of Russian classicism. Construction began in 1777 and was completed in 1780.

The bridge is about 160 meters long and approximately 20 meters high. It rests on 15 large stone arches, with three central arches built in two tiers. After the construction was completed, 28 stone trading stalls were erected near the bridge, which were replaced by cast-iron grilles in the 1840s. The ravine over which the bridge passes was reinforced with plantings in the second half of the 19th century at the request of the well-known Kaluga governor Nikolai Mikhailovich Smirnov. In 1910, the roadway was covered with reinforced concrete.

Previously, a stream called Berezuyka flowed under the bridge, but over time it dried up and disappeared. The bridge functioned for more than two centuries without serious repairs, although in 1975 it was deemed unsuitable for use and repairs were planned, but funding from the state budget did not arrive. A subsequent examination showed it was suitable for further use. However, on April 10, 2009, during a light bulb replacement, a small collapse occurred in the pedestrian part of the bridge, leading to its closure first for vehicles and then for pedestrians. Only then did the Russian government allocate funds for inspection and restoration, which lasted until 2010.

On February 16, 2010, a grand reopening of the restored bridge took place, attended by many people, including guests from Moscow. According to an old tradition, a horse-drawn carriage was the first to cross the bridge, followed by the launch of a trolleybus.

It was planned to continue repair and restoration work on the Stone Bridge, but so far no one is in a hurry to implement them. It is necessary to relay the white stone cornice and the facing masonry of the facades, improve the area, including the Berezuy ravine, clear it of overgrowth, and ensure a view of the ancient structure.

For the residents of Kaluga, the bridge is a true treasure and a symbol of the city. There is a city tradition that after registering a marriage, the young husband must carry his wife across the bridge in his arms. Another tradition, common in various cities and countries, is that newlyweds hang a lock on the bridge's railings and throw the key into the ravine to ensure a strong marriage. In 2009, city authorities prohibited hanging locks on the railings, but to preserve the tradition, a special metal tree was installed on Golden Alley on Karl Marx Street, which runs along the Berezuy ravine.