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The owl statue of Dijon, France
The 850-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is notable not only for its mysterious Gothic architecture but also for the Dijon owl statue on its exterior walls. The statue is only about a handspan long, but legend says that anyone who rubs the owl's face with their left hand will have their wishes granted. In European mythology, the owl is a symbol of the goddess of wisdom, Athena, and over time, the locals have come to regard it as a symbol of the city. Owl imagery appears everywhere, from the jerseys of sports teams and restaurants to tourist attractions.
Lincoln's Tomb, USA
Located in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, the tomb of the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln, boasts a unique architectural design. Situated in the center of a 51,000 m² hill, the mausoleum is constructed of granite quarried in Massachusetts and is divided into two levels: a rectangular first level with a semicircular gateway and a second level featuring a tower-shaped memorial. In front of the entrance stands a bronze statue of Lincoln with a prominent, shiny nose. The reason for this distinctive appearance stems from a local legend: rubbing the statue's nose is believed to bring good fortune.
Il Porcellino wild boar statue, Italy
Florence is the birthplace of the European Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries. To this day, it retains almost intact its ancient art and architecture dating back hundreds of years. Among them, the Il Porcellino (Wild Boar) statue, located in the city center, not only boasts a unique Baroque style but also attracts visitors with its strange legends. Legend says that if you place a coin in the boar's jaw and let it fall through the iron grate below, you will have good luck. And if you rub the boar's snout, you will have the chance to return to Florence.
Statue of Saint John of Nepomuk, Czech Republic
Built in 1357 in the Gothic style, the Charles Bridge, a stone bridge spanning the Vltava River in Prague, is a major tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors due to its ancient and refined beauty. Along its sides are 30 statues carved in the 17th century, a harmonious blend of Gothic and Baroque styles. However, the most famous is the statue of Saint John of Nepomuk. Saint Nepomuk was a great priest under King Wenceslas IV and died on this very Vltava River. Locals say that touching the carved relief on the base of the statue brings good luck and a chance to return to this place again.
Trevi Fountain, Italy
The Trevi Fountain is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome, a timeless masterpiece by Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini. Constructed primarily from limestone and Carrara marble, the fountain features the god Oceanus riding in a shell-shaped chariot pulled by horses, and two Tritons. A unique feature is the carving of 30 different plant species into the fountain. Italians believe that throwing a coin over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain will ensure you return to Rome, two coins will make you fall in love with a Roman, and three coins signal your wedding bells. Whether or not this is true, nearly $4,000 is collected daily. Each morning, these coins are retrieved and donated to a local charity.
Blarney Rock, Ireland
Located near the beautiful village of Blarney is the 600-year-old Blarney Castle, surrounded by vast, unspoiled forests. At the very top of the castle stands a sacred stone known as the Stone of Eloquence. Since the late 18th century, a sacred legend has been passed down: anyone who kisses the stone upside down is granted exceptional eloquence by the goddess Cliodhna. Every year, it attracts countless visitors seeking blessings. According to Christians, the stone is a fragment of the famous Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Those who kiss the stone are believed to experience good fortune, but those who intentionally vandalize or steal the Blarney Stone will incur divine wrath.
