Quay with Sphinxes, Granite sphinxes at University Embankment in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Two massive pink granite sphinxes, each weighing 23 tons, stand guard along the Neva River with decorative bronze columns and griffins.
The sphinxes, originally located at the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, were purchased by Tsar Nicholas I from France in 1832.
The sphinx installation reflects the 19th-century European fascination with Egyptian artifacts and represents the cultural exchange between Russia and Egypt.
Visitors can access the quay through the Vasileostrovsky District and find souvenir stands selling sphinx-themed items near the waterfront.
The facial expressions of these ancient Egyptian monuments appear to change throughout the day according to local interpretations.
Location: Vasileostrovsky District
Inception: 1455 BCE
Architectural style: classicism, Egyptian Revival architecture
Made from material: granite, bronze
Part of: Universitetskaya Embankment
GPS coordinates: 59.93700,30.29080
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:43
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