Chizhik-Pyzhik in St. Petersburg: a small monument on the Fontanka

• Location: 1 Fontanka Embankment, by the First Engineering Bridge, opposite No. 6.
• The bronze figurine was created by Rezo Gabriadze in 1994; Vyacheslav Bukhayev designed its setting.
• The figurine is 11 centimetres tall and weighs about five kilograms.
• The yellow-green uniforms worn by pupils of the former Imperial School of Jurisprudence on the Fontanka gave the name its siskin connection.
• A local wishing custom involves tossing a coin onto the pedestal so that it stays there; the wish is supposed to be sincere.

The sculpture stands on the Fontanka beside the First Engineering Bridge, opposite number 6. The building housed the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, founded in 1835. A brief stop can be combined with a walk along the river and through the historic centre.

Rezo Gabriadze created the figurine, while Vyacheslav Bukhayev designed its architectural setting. The bronze sculpture was installed in 1994. At 11 centimetres tall and weighing about five kilograms, it is small enough to be easily missed as you pass by. Its scale contrasts with the broad riverfronts and grand palaces and churches of the city.

“Chizhik-Pyzhik” was a playful nickname for pupils of the former Imperial School of Jurisprudence. Their yellow-green uniforms were reminiscent of a siskin’s plumage. The school was located on the Fontanka at number 6, directly opposite the figurine. The monument thus links a specific address with a city song and a play on words.

The song begins by asking where the siskin has been, and has it reply that it drank vodka on the Fontanka. St. Petersburg tradition connects the humorous verse with pupils of the Imperial School of Jurisprudence. When making a wish with a coin, the coin is supposed to stay on the pedestal; the wish must be sincere for it to come true, according to the tradition.

This stop fits into a walk around St. Petersburg and the theme of Curious St. Petersburg. Nearby are Nevsky Prospect and Palace Square. The Hermitage and the Peter and Paul Fortress are separate sightseeing destinations and each requires extra time. Other cultural attractions include the museums of St. Petersburg. The city is in the northwest of Russia.

Accommodation near the centre can reduce travel time between the Fontanka, museums and other days out in the city. When planning your trip, you can fit this brief riverside stop and longer cultural visits into your schedule; getting there and getting around will determine the routes between them.

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Frequently asked questions about Chizhik-Pyzhik

How big is the figurine?

The bronze figurine is 11 centimetres tall and weighs about five kilograms. It stands by the First Engineering Bridge, opposite the former school building at 6 Fontanka Embankment.

Where does the name Chizhik-Pyzhik come from?

The nickname referred to pupils of the Imperial School of Jurisprudence on the Fontanka. Their yellow-green uniforms were reminiscent of a siskin’s plumage.

What happened to the sculpture after it was installed?

The bronze figurine was stolen several times and returned to its place each time.

How long was the Imperial School of Jurisprudence located on the Fontanka?

The school was located at 6 Fontanka Embankment from 1835 to 1918, opposite the First Engineering Bridge.