10 Sculptures That are (Maybe Not) Meant to be Rubbed

May. 06, 2024

10 Sculptures That are (Maybe Not) Meant to be Rubbed

All around the world, there are sculptures and statues which have significance when you touch them. It could be anything from good luck, fertility, or simply ensuring a return to the same city in the future. And you could be touching anything from a toe to the head, a breast, or a ball. Umm, yeah. You didn't think that was just a trick of the light on the horse in the picture above, did you?

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Il Porcellino Fountain

The first time I encountered something like this was at Il Porcellino in Florence. This bronze boar was cast around 1634 by Pietro Tacca and placed in the Mercato Nuovo. While the original is now housed in the Museo Bardini in Palazzo Mozzi since its replacement in 2008, tradition continues unabated. To partake, you place a coin in its jaws for good luck and rub its snout to guarantee a safe return to Florence. As an art lover intending to revisit, I made sure to do just that, following the local custom dutifully.

Juliet's Statue

Soon after, I arrived in Verona. I'm not exactly sure whose likeness this sculpture is supposed to model since Juliet was a fictional character. Most of Verona's tourism revolves around the story of Romeo and Juliet, a testament to Shakespeare's impact. Nevertheless, the town is spectacular sans the Shakespearean fame. Since 1972, a statue of Juliet has stood in her courtyard beneath the balcony of her house. Thousands of tourists line up daily to rub her right breast, believing this act brings good fortune and luck in their love life. I chose to skip the wait of half an hour, not due to a lack of need for luck, but simply because of the queue.

A Fat Policeman in Budapest

No matter how hard I try, I can't find anything online about the history of this portly fellow. Maybe if I spoke Hungarian... but that's out of the question. Luckily, the free walking tour in Budapest provided some insight. This policeman was famous for activities beyond his official duties; rubbing his belly is said to bring good luck... in bed.

Budapest also boasts the Andras Hadik horse-rider statue, pictured at the top. Students have climbed the base for decades to rub the horse’s prominently shiny balls, hoping for good luck before exams. Feel free to follow suit, but try not to get caught by the non-bronzed police, who might not appreciate your interaction with the statue’s "crown jewels."

A Monument to the Plumber Chumil

The next "rubbing" sculpture I encountered was Chumil's in Bratislava. Installed in 1997 during Old Town's renovation, this humorous "Man at Work" figure has no true backstory — there's no real person named Chumil, no poignant tale of a sewer worker. It's simply the result of a sculptor's sense of humor. Why rub his head? Why not!

Sculptures in Prague

The Czech Republic brings a whole new level to peculiar sculptures. Where else can you find figures of two men urinating on their own country? It gets better — you can text +420 724 370 770 to have David Černý's Proudly animated sculpture spell out your words using their stream. To my knowledge, this sculpture doesn’t bring luck when rubbed.

However, there is a sculpture you can rub: Franz Kafka riding an invisible character from one of his novels. Kafka wasn't well-known in his lifetime, but his posthumously published works garnered acclaim. Ironically, the book inspiring this statue was meant to be burned per Kafka's will. Today, rubbing the foot of this statue ensures a return to Prague, a city I look forward to revisiting under more leisurely conditions. You can touch the falling man on the plaque at St. Charles Bridge's John of Nepomuk statue base for more good luck and assurance of a return. Sadly, I discovered this after my departure, so I’ll rely on my luck with Kafka.

Lastly, don’t miss the odd sculptures of Prague. They might not all be luck-bringing, but they contribute to Prague's reputation for bizarre art.

Wishing in Warsaw

Behind the castle in Old Town's Kanonia Square, a bronze bell cast in 1646 rests on a stone platform. The bell was never hung due to a flaw. Walking around it three times is believed to bring good luck or fulfill a wish, though it's unclear if you need to touch the bell during this ritual.

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Additional reading:
Price on bronze casting - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists

A Rooster on a Cat on a Dog on a Donkey

The famous sculpture of The Town Musicians of Bremen, based on the Brothers Grimm story, was first created in Bremen, Germany in 1953. As Bremen’s sister city, Riga received its version in 1990, depicting the animals looking through the Iron Curtain — fitting for this historically rich town influenced by both German and Russian cultures. Rubbing their noses brings good luck, though reaching the rooster might require a climb. I can't help but recall the horse sculpture now!

Margaretha Krook Sculpture Gives You a Warm Feeling

Our journey concludes outside Stockholm's Drama Theater, home to a unique sculpture of actress Margaretha Krook. Though she detested the idea of cold bronze statues, the Stockholmers were intent on honoring her. They installed a heated bronze statue where she used to have her cigarettes, allowing visitors to rub her 37°C heated belly for warmth — a comforting touch while waiting in the cold for a performance.

Edinburgh Sculptures

My favorite city, Edinburgh, features several widely-rubbed statues. David Hume, the Scottish historian and philosopher, is one such example. His 9-foot-tall statue, an eyesore to some locals, nonetheless attracts tourists and students who rub his toe daily, hoping for some transfer of philosophical wisdom.

Close to my heart is the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye terrier known for guarding his master's grave for 14 years after his owner's death. Erected outside Greyfriars Kirk with Bobby given his own grave, his statue symbolizes loyalty and devotion. Though traditionally you could rub Bobby’s nose for good luck, excessive wear has led authorities to request gentle pats instead.

Other Famous Sculptures

This list is far from exhaustive regarding rubbable sculptures, even within Europe. There were others I visited but can't recall specifics or have no selfies to mark them. When exploring a new city, keep an eye out for the golden sheen on aged statues and ask around for local legends. Everyone could use a bit of good luck! If you discover any interesting stories or photos, feel free to share them for future updates.

10 Sculptures That are (Maybe Not) Meant to be Rubbed