Fontana del Porcellino

The Fontana del Porcellin is a boar-shaped bronze fountain located in the Piazza del Mercato Nuovo in Florence. Compared to the rest of the boar, its snout is shiny and a little worn. This is because every day, visitors stroke its nose wishing for good fortune.

According to legend, you will return to Florence if you do so. The complete ritual includes dropping a coin between its jaws, which should then fall inside the grating below while touching its nose. This is supposed to bring you good luck. Remember to slide the coin correctly into the grating on your first try itself; you only get one chance for good fortune! The fountain was created by Pietro Tacca, a pupil of Giambologna, in 1612. It was commissioned by Cosimo Ⅱ and purportedly represented the Calydonian Boar o Greek myth. The original used to be broken into by thieves who stole the coins stuck inside it, so it was relocated to the Bardini Museum. The one in the Mercato Nuovo is a replica. There are many replicas of this fountain found across the world. The sculpture has also made on-screen appearances in some Harry Potter movies and the 2001 Hannibal.