The Universe of Water

St. Petersburg’s Vodokanal complex comprises several buildings that are all connected by one of our planet’s most important elements: water. After all, with more than half of our planet is covered in water, especially at the weekend when you want to do something, its significance in our lives is no surprise. How mankind has managed to harness and control this element is a whole different story though. The main exhibition is situated in an old water tower in the centre of the complex. Scale models of prominent historical waterworks are the highlights of the first floor, ranging from the hanging gardens of Babylon to ancient Greece. Scaling the various floors of the tower will give you new insights regarding the development of sewerage systems, if you like that kind of thing. The museum also manages to take the term "toilet humour" to a new level by showcasing various types of toilet bowls. It should be noted that the water tower also served the people of St. Petersburg during times of war, so the historical value of the building alone could be a reason to, erm, pay it a visit. Be sure to ask the cashier for some English information, as the exhibits themselves are mostly explained in Russian. The other two buildings of the complex offer a range of multimedia tours, although sadly these are only available in Russian.