10 Most Fun Monuments in Russia10 photos

In recent decades, Russia has seen the creation of a vast number of original monuments by both renowned and emerging sculptors. When traveling through your country’s cities, be sure to take a look at them—good humor is guaranteed!

The “Friendship” Yogurt Monument. Moscow

This unusual monument is located on Rustaveli Street, near the “Karat” melted yogurt factory. It depicts the heroes of the fable “The Raven and the Fox” sitting together on a log, holding a “Friendship” yogurt in their hands. The yogurt itself weighs about 250 kilograms and comes in its authentic packaging.

The Chizhik-Pyzhik Monument. Saint Petersburg

This monument marked the beginning of a craze for unusual sculptural compositions. So, one could say that Chizhik was a pioneer—it was installed on Fontanka in 1994. Naturally, this small bronze bird quickly became the subject of various legends. If you make a wish and hit Chizhik with a coin, your wish will surely come true. And if a newlywed couple ties a glass to Chizhik’s beak, their marriage will be happy.

Many monuments are dedicated to public services. For example, the “Plumber Stepanovich” monument in Omsk: The steel-plated plumber Stepanovich, peering out from a manhole on Lyubinsky Prospect, has become a symbolic figure of the city and is beloved by its residents. Many people even offer Stepanovich cigarettes as a tribute—this monument is actually a copy of one in Bratislava.

The Water Supply Monument. Mytyshchi

This monument consists of three metal rails topped with colorful plumbing fixtures. It was erected to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Mytyshchi’s water supply system. Although locals sometimes call it the “Drunk Plumber Monument” or the “Marsian Tripod,” it remains a notable landmark in the city.

The Heating Radiator Monument. Samara

This monument, perfectly suited to our climate, was installed in 2005. Samaran researchers found that the heating radiator was originally designed in Russia, and this fact was commemorated in this unusual way for its 150th anniversary. Locals also call it the “Cat Monument.”

There are many monuments in Russia that are instantly recognizable to every Russian person. A great example is the “Salted Cucumber Monument” in Lukhovitsy, Moscow Oblast. This beloved delicacy was immortalized in bronze in 2007, on the city’s 50th anniversary. Interestingly, Lukhovitsy is the main supplier of cucumbers to the region’s markets and shops.

So, why not enjoy some fresh cucumbers while you’re at it—Russians truly have an undeniable love for them!

The “Happiness Monument”. Tomsk

This philosophically profound monument provides tourists with a simple answer to the complex question of what happiness really is. According to its creators, happiness lies not in money or fame but in basic human pleasures like food and warmth—and who better understands these values than Russians?

The “Crocodile Monument”. IzhevskThe laid-back crocodile named Gen, lounging on a city bench in a poetically relaxed pose, brings a smile to the faces of passersby. This monument was installed in a park across from School No. 24 in 2005. There are several theories about how Izhevsk is connected to crocodiles. One says that a crocodile escaped from a traveling zoo in the early 20th century and was later identified as Gen. After this incident, a legend arose claiming that crocodiles began appearing in local rivers. Another theory suggests that Izhevsk’s gunmakers earned the nickname “crocodiles” because of their distinctive holiday costumes.

There are also humorous monuments dedicated to famous people. For example, the “Professor Eugene Leonov” monument.

This monument was unveiled in 2001 and is located on the Star Alley in a park at the intersection of Mosfilmovskaya Street and Pyryev Street, opposite the Mosfilm studio. The favorite character from Eugene Leonov’s beloved film “The Gentlemen of Fortune” is vividly depicted in bronze—even the tattoos on his arms are clearly visible. The scene where he fights with prisoners is so realistically portrayed that it seems Leonov might actually say, “I’ll tear your jaws apart…!”

The “Luzhkov, the Yardman” Monument. Moscow

This monument is located in the inner courtyard of the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Luzhkov is symbolically depicted as a diligent yardman holding a broom. The broom merges into a streetlight, and the patchy sole of his boot, along with the pile of trash at his feet, add to its humorous effect. The more you look at this monument, the more thoughts and associations it evokes. Its creator is the controversial artist Zurab Tsereteli.