Favor to trade

You may be familiar with the caduceus – the winged staff entwined with two snakes. Though commonly mistaken for the symbol of medicine (which is a completely different thing – we’ll address it next), it represents the Greek god Hermes or his Roman counterpart Mercury. By extension, the caduceus is tied to commerce, communication, and travel. This brings us to the places where you can find one – either monuments to these gods or places associated with trading.

To find a pair of such serpents, look up at the Au Pont Rouge (“near the Red Bridge”) department store on the Moyka River, with the caduceus on the spire. The Pushkin House, found in a former customs office on Vasilyevsky Island, and Eliseevsky Emporium on Nevsky Prospect both feature Mercury holding a caduceus.

Medicine

In ancient times, snakes played a role in healing rituals. That’s why there is not just one, but two ancient symbols related to medicine in Western countries: the Rod of Asclepius (a rod entwined by one serpent) and the Bowl of Hygieia (a cup with a snake wrapped around it). In ancient Greek mythology, Asclepius is the god of medicine, while his daughter, Hygieia, is the goddess of cleanliness and sanitation.

Consequently, snakes inhabit all things medical. In front of the Military Medical Academy stands a statue of Hygieia feeding a snake. Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Institute of Experimental Medicine, there’s a fountain adorned with curled-up snakes. The most central location is the old building of the National Public Library, which features a statue of Hippocrates holding the Rod of Asclepius.

Panteleymonovsky Bridge. Credit: ElenaLitera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Panteleymonovsky Bridge. Credit: ElenaLitera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Means of protection

Living snakes for hair are an indispensable part of the hideous appearance of Medusa, a figure from Greek mythology who could turn anyone into stone with her gaze. When defeated, she retained her magical features, and the goddess Athena placed her head on her shield. Thus, the gorgoneion became a common amulet against the evil eye.

With these protective purposes, this element of classical and empire styles is represented in cast iron and forged images placed on the fences around Mikhailovsky Castle, the Summer Garden, and the Panteleymonovsky Bridge.

Alexander’s Column. Credit: Adriadna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Alexander’s Column. Credit: Adriadna, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Defeated enemies 

It’s no secret that besides having positive connotations, snakes are often viewed as evil and sly creatures. In such context, serpents can symbolize enemies, portrayed as defeated by a hero, a dragon slayer.

The very heart of the city hosts two must-visit monuments depicting this myth. Alexander’s Column in Palace Square is topped with a statue of an angel piercing a snake with a cross, symbolizing Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. A 10-minute walk away, there’s the Bronze Horseman, a monument to Peter the Great. His horse tramples a serpent, seemingly a reference to the first Russian emperor’s fight against treachery and enemies – both of his reforms and Russia.

Snakes to every taste

Ultimately, snakes serve as exquisite decorations – and architects of revenue houses understood this well. Some of the creators added snakes from the previously mentioned categories, yet there are also some unique examples that stand out – like the Egyptian house, its door decorated with the image of the Egyptian god Ra and snakes as a symbol of wisdom and power. In contrast, the Bubyr revenue house of the Art Nouveau style presents serpents as whimsical fairy tale creatures.