Monument to Chizhik-Pyzhik. History of origin, features

The events connected with the Chizhik-Pyzhik monument

A small and inconspicuous from far away figure of bronze Chizhika-Pyzhik attracts the attention of walking couples and tourists. By the way, you can not say that this cute bird is the smallest sculpture in the whole world and in height is only 11 centimeters. Since the creation of the monument, he was tried to steal and steal many times. Each kidnapper had his own reason for this. Someone was trying to sell non-ferrous metal, but someone wanted to take such an original souvenir from St. Petersburg and keep it to himself. Of course, in the main the monument was and returned to St. Petersburg. The monument to Chizhik-Pyzhik was once stolen without a return, and the sculptor Rezo Gabriadze again cast an exact copy of a pretty bird from bronze. At the same time the St. Petersburg authorities proposed to build a new sculpture made of wood or granite, but the sculptor opposed and explained his refusal by saying that the tree or granite would take grace and grace from the bird, which means that the sculpture will no longer be an exact copy of an exclusive bird.

Features of the area

Currently, the monument is installed round the clock observation, and therefore, all attempts are immediately prevented. Today, no one is in danger of stealing this value of the city. The monument to Chizhik-Pyzhik is well guarded. The area itself in a short time gained great popularity. Many people come here to take a few photos as a keepsake. The bird does not cease to please visitors with its uniqueness. Now the embankment of the Fontanka river, surrounded by exclusive mansions, beautiful descents and ascents and, undoubtedly, with the sculpture of Chizhik recreates that very primeval charm of the times of Imperial Russia. And if you remember, at one time, even during the construction of the city, this place did not have something of special significance, but even its name. And today the Chizhik-Pyzhik monument is the best place where you can have a good rest, make a wish, celebrate a holiday. And you can be sure, you will spend your time there unforgettably.

A bit of history

Only after the Summer Palace was built there in the 17th century , the Fontanka became not only a border of Petersburg, but became a place for celebrating the local aristocracy. Near the palace began to build their mansions close to the palace of the Lord. And necessarily everyone tried to create their home much better than others. Now it is a true architectural monument to the secular St. Petersburg, which gives all the majesty of the city every tourist and holidaymaker. In 1835, the Imperial School of Jurisprudence was built on the Fontanka. His pupils had an unusual form, executed in yellow and green colors, and in winter such an outfit was supplemented with also puffy hats. For this they were nicknamed "chizhiks-fox". That is why the appearance of a bronze sculpture on the embankment is so symbolic. Every tourist, having arrived to St. Petersburg, is simply obliged to visit the Chizhik-Pyzhik monument. The very history of the appearance of the monument conceals a certain mystery in itself, which attracts many tourists.

Creation of a monument

In 1994, at the Festival of Satire and Humor "Golden Ostap" by the famous writer Andrei Bitov, it was proposed to install a memorial sculpture Chizhiku-Pyzhik. His idea was so much liked by the rest that it was decided to start making a model of Chizhik.

Sculpture Chizhiku-Pyzhik in St. Petersburg was set on November 19, 1994. At the moment it is the smallest monument not only on the Neva, but all over the world. The height of the monument Chizhik-Pyzhik is 11 cm, and the weight is only 5 kg. Its authors were architect Vyacheslav Bukhayev and sculptor Rezo Gabriadze. Why it was decided to establish a monument to Chizhik, described above. There is also another story of the emergence of the second part of the famous nickname. According to this version, the firing of the pupils was too pompous and therefore they were called Pyzhikami. In their free time students liked to visit the nearest tavern, after all there was a rhyme, which today is known to almost everyone:

Chizhik-tiger, where have you been?

I drank vodka on the Fontanka.

He drank a glass, drank two -

I felt dizzy in my head.

Despite the fact that in 1918 the school was closed, the quatrain continues to live and to this day. In this case, such a small poem is known not only to the elderly, but also to the youth. The monument to Chizhik-Pyzhik gained good popularity among many tourists.

The popularity of the monument

After making the sculpture, she immediately overgrew with many legends and signs. The most famous is that it is necessary to make a wish and try to throw a coin on the pedestal so that it does not fall into the water and remains there to lie. If this can be done, the desired desire will certainly come true, and it will happen in the shortest possible time. Therefore, people carefully aim and throw a coin so that it can not fall.

Also known as Chizhik-Pyzhik and among the newlyweds. According to tradition, the groom must tie the glass with a rope, then fill it and slowly and accurately, without spilling a single drop, lower it to the sculpture and clink glasses with the beak of the bird, without breaking the glass. If these difficult rules are met, then the family life of the newlyweds will be prosperous and happy and will not be overshadowed by any problems. In addition to the newlyweds, Chizhika-Pyzhik is also visited from other cities and even countries, because this architectural monument is known all over the world. Everyone knows where the Chizhik-Pyzhik monument is located, you can ask the address of any resident in the city.

Monument of desires

Many tourists believe that if you make a wish near the monument, it will come true. And indeed it is. Some tourists boasted more than once that after their return to their homeland, their wishes came true. For the desire to come true, it was necessary to go to the monument and throw a coin, after it was made. Someone throws coins and makes a wish, someone simply observes the elegant performance of the sculpture and admires the way the sculptor was able to convey the monument to the elegance and uniqueness that are inherent in this bird. Despite the fact that the sculpture was tried to steal 7 times, it still continues to please us with its presence on the Fontanka. Be sure to visit the Chizhik-Pyzhik monument. Do not forget to make a photo. By the way, not many know that once the monument had to be made anew, because it was not possible to find any clues where the real sculpture disappeared. Before this bronze Chizhik was found at the points of acceptance of non-ferrous metal more than once. And now, perhaps, it has long been melted. And in its place is anew cast sculpture.