This is the oldest bridge, the same age as St. Petersburg. The history of the construction of the Ioannovsky Bridge is connected with the history of the Peter and Paul Fortress. In 1703, a floating wooden bridge connected the fortress on Zayachy Island with the buildings on Berezovy (now Petrogradsky) Island. In 1706, the floating bridge was replaced by a permanent wooden one on pile supports with a lifting part in the middle. The bridge was named Petrovsky. In 1887, it was renamed Ioannovsky.

During its existence, the bridge was repeatedly rebuilt. In 1950-1951, during the next repair of the bridge according to the design of engineer V.V. Blazhevich, seven spans were covered with metal beams. In 1953, according to the design of architect A.L. Rotach, the wooden railings on the bridge were replaced with cast-iron gratings of artistic casting, floor lamps with lanterns were installed.

The bridge was repaired for the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, then in 2016-2017.

Next to the Ioannovsky Bridge, a 58 cm tall hare figurine is installed on piles, which has received the unofficial name "The Bunny Saved from the Flood". The monument was unveiled on May 8, 2003, in honor of the completion of the repair of the crossing and the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. The authors of the project are St. Petersburg sculptor Vladimir Petrovichev and architect Sergei Petchenko.