“Siskin-wad oh where were you?” The tiny bronze bird perched on its Fontanka River embankment seems to chirp the question itself. This is Chizhik-Pyzhik the most famous of St Petersburg’s smaller monuments.
This little siskin statue is a big deal. It’s linked to a 19th-century verse. The poem more or less translates as “Siskin-wad oh where were you? On Fontanka drinking was Had got one glass had got two It was spinning in my head.”
Legend says students from the nearby Imperial School of Jurisprudence wore siskin-colored uniforms. They frequented a local tavern. The poem became incredibly popular. Its popularity led to this charming monument. The Chizhik-Pyzhik has been stolen many times. The urban legend claims the thieves always sold it to buy alcohol.
But Chizhik-Pyzhik is just one example of St Petersburg’s quirky monuments. Close by stand the Mikhailovsky Castle’s Tin Soldiers. These small figures are hard to spot. They stand in niches overlooking the castle moat. Legend links them to Emperor Paul. He supposedly had a vision of an angel ordering him to build his castle. The angel instructed him to name it after the Archangel Michael. Some believe the tiny soldier statues predict the future. No one has explained how though.
Another curious monument nearby is the memorial plate featuring a giant nose. This may appear strange. For St Petersburg citizens it’s a tribute to Gogol’s story The Nose. Gogol’s tale depicts a nose abandoning its owner. The nose rises through the ranks becoming a State Councillor. The original nose monument was temporary. It was part of a satire and humor festival. People loved it so much. A replica was installed after the original disappeared.
St Petersburg is full of such unusual monuments. Each tells a story. Keep your eyes open as you stroll through this magical city. You’ll find many more hidden gems. You will discover surprising stories around every corner.