Chizhik-Pyzhik is one of the most famous monuments and attractions of St. Petersburg.
Chizhik-Pyzhik is a miniature animal sculpture installed in the center of St. Petersburg, next to the 1st Engineering Bridge, near the waters of the Fontanka River from the side Mikhailovsky (Engineering) castle.
The bronze sculpture of the bird "Chizhik-Pyzhik" is placed on a small pedestal; it has a height of only 11 centimeters and a weight of about 5 kilograms.
The sculpture was installed on November 19, 1994 during the festival "Golden Ostap" in St. Petersburg. Designed by artist Rezo Gabriadze and architect Slava Bukhaev.
A sign near " Chizhik-Pyzhik»
The sculpture of the bird is installed in memory of the students of the prestigious higher educational institution of pre - revolutionary Russia-the Imperial School of Jurisprudence, founded by the decree of Emperor Nicholas I and on the initiative of Prince Peter of Oldenburg.
The educational institution from 1835 to 1918 was located nearby (on the other side of the Fontanka River in house No. 6), and its students wore green uniforms with yellow buttonholes and cuffs, and in winter-a pyzykov cap. Because of the colors of the form, reminiscent of the plumage of the finch bird, the students were nicknamed "finches-pyzhiki". There is also a version that the students of the prestigious educational institution were too arrogant, for which they were nicknamed "Pyzhiki".
Students of the school, as at all times, liked to relax and have fun between classes, which is why they secretly went to the tavern of the merchant Nefedov, which was located near the school, where they drank alcohol. They even wrote a song about these students (the words are inaccurate, the author is unknown):
"Chizhik-pyzyk, where have you been?
I drank vodka at the Fontanka.
I drank a glass, drank two -
I felt dizzy."
Superstitions are associated with the sculpture of Chizhik-Pyzhik:
1. If you make a wish and throw a coin on the pedestal of the monument (the coin should remain lying on the stone), then the wish will certainly come true.
2. For the newlyweds: the groom should lower the filled glass tied on a rope to the monument and clink with the beak of the siskin so as not to break the glass; then raise the glass and drink it with his betrothed. They say that this is the key to a long and happy life for a young family.
Not spared the miniature St. Petersburg monument and thefts. During the existence of the "Chizhik-Pyzhik" it was stolen several times, but each time the sculpture was returned or restored anew according to the preserved model, and then placed in place.
Miniature monuments elsewhere
There are also miniature sculptures in the city of Kaliningrad - these are Homlins-mythological creatures, in the likeness of brownies, who, according to legend, live next to people, and make amber products at night. According to legend, homlin brings happiness and good.
Kaliningrad Homlin sculptures represent members of one large family-from the older generation (grandparents) to the youngest, and are "scattered" in the most significant places of the city. Learn more about homlins in Kaliningrad…
Practical information
Chizhik-Pyzhik is located in the heart of Saint Petersburg, close to Summer garden and Mikhailovsky garden.
Coordinates of Chizhik-Pyzyk: 59°56'30.0"N 30°20'16.0"E (59.941667, 30.337778).
Nearest metro stations: "Nevsky Prospekt", "Gostiny Dvor", "Admiralteiskaya" and "Chernyshevskaya".
All accommodation facilities in St. Petersburg, including in the city center and more remote from it, can be viewed and booked here
