Initially, a couple of sphinxes were intended to protect the Egyptian bridge, but the commission did not approve them, and it was decided to send them to the Malaya Nevka embankment. Sphinxes changed many owners, decorated the house of a wealthy merchant and only in 1970 they appeared on the waterfront, but soon vandals destroyed the sculptures. Yuri Petrov, director of the State Unitary Enterprise “Mostotrest”, found them spoiled. The company restored them at its own expense, and then they were installed at the administration building. And only in 2010 it was decided to return the find to St. Petersburg. Thus, the sphinxes found peace on the Malaya Nevka embankment and became its integral attraction.