Florence 2018: Fontana del Porcellino

Right off one of Florence’s main shopping streets is the bronze Fontana del Porcellino, sometimes referred to as just Il Porcellino, which means “the piglet” in Italian. I’m not sure why it’s called Il Porcellino when it’s very clearly an adult boar but I’m guessing that it’s a loving nickname. The Fontana del Porcellino was made in the 1600s and it served as both a decoration and a working fountain that supplied water to the merchants doing business in the market where it was located. Like many outdoor sculptures what you see today is a replica while the original is held in a museum for preservation. It’s a tradition among visitors to Florence to rub the boar’s snout and then put a coin into its mouth and let the coin fall through the grate below. This supposedly brings good luck and ensures a return visit to Florence one day. There is frequently a small crowd around the Fontana del Porcellino so it might take a few minutes for you to get your turn at this fun little tourist tradition.