L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 10 L'Italo-Americano T here is no lack of fantastic statuary in Italy. Even in t h e s m a l l e s t hamlets, you're sure to find at least a statue or two honoring a local hero o r m o m e n t o u s o c c a s i o n . While most of Italy's statues are duly admired by passers- by, there's a subset of iconic bronze statuary that receive a more personal form of atten- t i o n . Y o u m a y ' v e e v e n noticed one of these and its peculiar area of gleaming bronze. Whether a finger, foot, or more "delicate" body part, the reason for the shine aligns with one thing: good luck. Florence A lucky little piggy went to M e r c a t o N u o v o i n F l o - rence and has since become one of the city's most beloved l a n d m a r k s . K n o w n a s I l P o r c e l l i n o , the original bronze was created in 1634, but has since been replaced (twice) by a replica. Parked on the sidewalk in the busy market area, the homely-but- adorable boar has become o n e o f I t a l y ' s m o s t w e l l - known good luck icons. Place a coin beneath his snout: if it falls into the grate below – score! – good luck is yours. If it didn't, you still have a shot a t b e i n g l u c k y e n o u g h t o return to Florence just by rubbing the little fellow's snout. Il Porcellino grew in such popularity that today there are numerous replicas t h r o u g h o u t t h e w o r l d i n countries such as Australia, France, Japan, Belgium, the UK, Germany, and the Unit- ed States — which boasts of copies in 18 states. Milan Under the elaborate glass roof of Milan's G a l l e r i a Vittorio Emanuele II mall lies a collection of four intri- cately tiled floor mosaics, e a c h r e p r e s e n t i n g I t a l y ' s i m p o r t a n t c a p i t a l c i t i e s : Rome, Florence, Milan, and Turin. One, however, gets more than its share of atten- tion — the rearing bull repre- senting Turin. No one is sure how the tradition began, but lore says one must place their right heel on a particular – ahem! – area between the b u l l ' s h i n d l e g s a n d s p i n backwards three times. While the bull might not feel so lucky (all that spinning has left him rather emasculated), the act is guaranteed to leave you dizzy if not a bit luckier. Turin There's another lucky bull anatomy story to explore, this time in Turin…the city whose name means "young bull" (Torino). Piazza San Carlo, aptly nicknamed il salotto (the lounge), is the elegant heart of Turin. Fine cafés, shops, and restaurants protected by baroque arcades rim the piazza, including one of Turin's opulent Libertine- style cafés, the Caffè Tori- no. Besides enjoying a few giandujotto chocolates or indulging in that chocolate- heaven-in-a-cup known as a bicerin, beefing up the odds of luck await just outside the café doors. Embedded in the p a v e m e n t i s a w e l l - w o r n metal relief of Turin's sym- bolic raging bull. No spoiler alert needed — you are cor- rect. Take a discreet spin on his unmentionables and – evviva! – luck rains down. T u r i n i s a l s o h o m e t o another good luck statue that features a body part of Geno- va's Cristoforo Colombo. Relax…this one's G-rated! Housed under the porticos of one of Turin's major thor- oughfares is a circular bronze relief featuring a perplexed Cristoforo, his gaze steady on a globe. His right hand cra- dles a compass, the pinky p r o m i n e n t l y l i f t e d – a n d noticeably shiny. The origin of the supersti- tion that rubbing Colombo's pinky will bring good luck is unknown, but it's obviously practiced so frequently that the appendage has had to be replaced at least once. Possi- bly it's Turin's large universi- ty population seeking the lucky finger for assistance with exams, or perchance those hoping it will point the way to fortune and luck, or m a y b e e v e n s t r e a m s o f tourists who read about it in an article…the finger makes the case that many seek the chance for a little extra luck. Rome Cristoforo isn't the only one with a lucky digit. Inside the Vatican's majestic St. Peter's Basilica sits one of Italy's most revered religious statues – that of St. Peter forged in bronze. As a symbol of reverence and the desire to receive a blessing, visitors queue up to the 800-year-old statue to touch or kiss St. Peter's protruding and reach- able right foot and/or right big toe. Despite the millions upon millions who've filed past over the ages, St. Peter's toe is still mostly intact. Not surprisingly, the remaining smaller toes have been kissed goodbye by centuries worth of well-meaning pilgrims. Verona B e a u t i f u l , r o m a n t i c V e r o n a . W a s y o u r f i r s t thought, "Home of Romeo a n d J u l i e t ! " ? D e s p i t e a lengthy list of remarkable attributes, Verona draws a hefty number of visitors sim- ply because of its connection to one of Shakespeare's most b e l o v e d t r a g e d i e s . T h e famous "Juliet's courtyard" containing the balcony said to have inspired the Bard's writing brings throngs of tourists, unquestionably, but there's more to that small garden. Situated against the ancient garden wall is a stat- ue of the demure maiden believed to favor her admir- ers with good fortune in love or other matters. Her wistful gaze won't bring you luck, however. Instead, you'll have to wait your turn to rub her right breast (and pose for a photo) with hopes that Cupid smiles your way. The endless c a r e s s e s e v e n t u a l l y w o r e holes in the statue, so protec- t i v e c i t i z e n s h a d J u l i e t r e m o v e d t o a m u s e u m i n 2014 and a replica put in her place. Other controversies h a v e a r i s e n , m o s t l y f r o m other countries, citing the t r a d i t i o n a s s e x i s t a n d demeaning. While some Ital- i a n o r g a n i z a t i o n s h a v e sought an end to the ritual, it seems most citizens agree it s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t o b e allowed. Either way, the folk- lore of Juliet has brought Verona luck worth 1.2 million in annual revenue. Superstition? Truth? Or m a y b e s o m e w h e r e i n b e t w e e n . N o m a t t e r , t h e opportunity to take a chance and add a little good fortune t o l i f e w i t h o n e o f I t a l y ' s beautiful traditions might be your lucky break! " M a y g o o d l u c k b e your friend in whatever you do and may trouble be always a stranger to you." – Anonymous Here's the rub on some of Italy's iconic lucky statues PAULA REYNOLDS Florence's "maialino," one of the many statues in Italy that could bring you good luck (Photo: Alexirina27000/Dreamstime) ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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