Monument to The Saint Petersburg water-carriers

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This sculpture of a water-carrier sits proudly in front of the main entrance to the tower of the Museum of Water. The sculptor, Sergey Dmitriev, poured over numerous historical materials when designing this work, ensuring every detail was precise and accurate. Created during the first half of the 19th Century, the sculpture offers a glimpse into a bygone era. Before the advent of modern water supplies, Saint Petersburg residents had to gather their own water, collecting it from nearby sources using buckets. Some residents opted for the services of a water-carrier, who came in two varieties: those who used a yoke or hardcart, and those who relied on horses. Due to the expense of horses, many water-carriers resorted to dragging their own barrels. Water-carrier barrels were painted in distinct colors, with each color denoting the source and quality of the water. White barrels carried the purest and most expensive water from the Neva River; yellow barrels held cheaper, dirtier water from the Fontanka River; green barrels contained canal water. Enforcing rules was crucial to maintaining order among water-carriers, with police arresting those who broke the law.