The sometimes unusual good-luck traditions listed in this article tempt most travellers, superstitious or otherwise. From Milan to Saint Petersburg and New York, many monuments are believed to bring love, success or wealth to those who touch them. The stone, statue or mosaic in question is so popular that it often takes a long time to reach it. But what wouldn't we do to protect ourselves from bad luck and attract good fortune? If travelling is already synonymous with happiness, we bet these sites will make you even happier!
1. Make a wish at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Milan© Michael715 - Shutterstock.com
Milan's famous shopping arcade , which links the Duomo to La Scala, is a popular thoroughfare. The mosaic of the zodiacal bull is one of the attractions of the Lombard capital. Legend has it that anyone who manages to turn around three times while placing their heel on the bull's testicles will have their wish granted.
Read: What to do and see in Milan in 2 or 3 days? Itinerary tips
2. Springfield, Abraham Lincoln has flair
Statue of Abraham Lincoln© MMPOP - Shutterstock.com
If you're passing through Springfield, Illinois, a visit to Abraham Lincoln's gravein Oak Ridge Cemetery is a must, not only because he was the 16th President of the United States, but also because his nose is said to bring good luck! This is evidenced by the much lighter colour in the middle of the face of the statue on the funerary monument, due to the many hands that come to rest on it every day, perpetuating one of the most unusual traditions in the world.
Read more: Top 10 state capitals to visit once in your life in the United States
3. In Blarney, kissing a stone at the castle: one of the most unusual traditions in the world
The Stone of Eloquence, Blarney Castle, Ireland© The Old Major - Shutterstock.com
The small town of Blarney, in County Cork, Ireland, attracts many visitors each year for its11th-century castle, home to the Stone of Eloquence. This rock, built into the battlements by the builder after he himself had taken advantage of its powers, is said to offer loquacity to anyone who kisses it. This ritual, one of the most unusual traditions in the world, is performed by leaning upside down from the top of the castle!
See also: Top 15 of Ireland's most beautiful villages
4. Prague, the martyrdom of Saint John of Nepomuk
Representation of Saint John Nepomuk© Emperorcosar - Shutterstock.com
Charles Bridge is one of the Czech capital's main landmarks, home to numerous statues depicting the country's religious history and one of the most unusual traditions in the world. The oldest of these representations is that of Saint John Nepomuk, whose body was thrown into the Vltava in 1393 when he refused to repeat to the king what the queen had entrusted to him. Touching the relief depicting the saint's martyrdom, located right in the middle of the bridge, will bring you good luck!
Read more: What to do and see in Prague in 2 or 3 days? Itinerary tips
5. Paris, at the foot of Montaigne
Statue of Montaigne - Paris© EQRoy - Shutterstock.com
The bronze statue of Montaigne in the square Paul Painlevé, just opposite theSorbonne University, has a notable curiosity: its foot looks as if it has been polished by the many hands that have caressed it. Legend has it that anyone who touches the humanist's shoe and exclaims "Salut Montaigne!" his wishes would come true. Over the years, this tradition and student revolts led to the deterioration of the 1934 statue, originally made of marble, which was replaced by a sturdier bronze monument in 1989.
See also: Top 15 unusual activities to try in Paris
6. Cambridge, at the foot of John Harvard
Statue of John Harvard - Cambridge© Jorge Salcedo - Shutterstock.com
If, in Paris, people caress the foot of Montaigne, in Cambridge, students rub the foot of John Harvard on the campus of the prestigious university of the same name. This monument has been renamed the Statue of the Three Lies, because it states that the university was founded by John Harvard in 1638. However, he was only a donor and historical sources attest that the institution was founded in 1636. What's more, the statue does not actually represent John Harvard, but a student who served as a model in 1885!
Read more: Top 15 of England's most beautiful villages to visit
7. Go to Saint Petersburg, at the foot of the Atlanteans: one of the most unusual traditions in the world
Atlanteans in the New Hermitage Museum© Roman Evgenev - shutterstock.com
Are feet a source of happiness? You'd think so, with so many good-luck traditions focusing on them! In Saint Petersburg, the New Hermitage Museum is famous for its sumptuous entrance portico, where ten giant atlatls support the building. If you're lucky, you'll have to touch the big toe of the second atlantean: you can't miss it, it's become shiny from being polished by visitors' hands!
Read also: What to do and see in Saint Petersburg The 15 must-sees
8. Brussels, luck or happiness with Éverard t'Serclaes
Statue of Éverard t'Serclaes© jorisvo - Shutterstock.com
Located in the gallery that runs beneath the "Maison de l'Étoil", near the Grand Place, the recumbent statue of Éverard t'Serclaes is said to bring good luck to anyone who touches his right hand or happiness to anyone who strokes it from the forehead. This work by Julien Dillens, created in 1902, was glorified by the people of Brussels during the First World War, as Éverard t'Serclaes is considered to be a figure in the liberation of the city: he repelled the Flemish invasion in 1356.
Read more: What to do and see in Brussels in 2 or 3 days Itinerary tips
9. The Charging Bull, making your fortune in New York
Wall Street Bull - New York© R. Scapinello - Shutterstock.com
Since 1989, Wall Street has been home to an imposing bronze bull weighing 3.2 tonnes, a symbol of the strength of financial power. In stock market jargon, the most optimistic and forward-looking investors are known as bulls. Created by Arturo di Modica, this moving bull has quickly become the darling of passers-by, who don't hesitate to touch its horns for better luck, and its testicles to become rich.
Read more: What to do in New York in 4 days Itinerary tips
10. Healing at the Basilica of Saint Sophia in Istanbul
Basilica of Saint Sophia - Istanbul© Anky - Shutterstock.com
Among the 107 columns in the Basilica of Saint Sophia inIstanbul is the popular "weeping column" or "sweating column", covered by a plaque with a mysterious hole in the middle. According to legend, King Justinian leaned his forehead against it to relieve his terrible migraines. It's one of the most unusual traditions in the world, because today, if you stick your finger inside the hole and pull it out wet, you'll be cured of all your ailments!
Read also: What to do in Istanbul in 3 or 4 days? Visiting tips
