We often try to get the most out of travel - we try exotic cuisine, visit museums, explore the streets of unfamiliar cities and learn languages. Someone's compulsory travel program includes places of power where, according to legends and legends, all desires are fulfilled and miracles are done.
Italy
Thanks to William Shakespeare, Italian Verona is considered a city of love no less than Paris. It was here that the events of his play "Romeo and Juliet" took place, so in Verona itself there are several Shakespearean places.
Most of all, the attention of tourists is attracted by the house of the Del Capello family, which were the prototype of the Capulet family, where Juliet was from. A statue of Shakespeare's heroine is installed in the courtyard of the Del Capello mansion, and from year to year tourists make pilgrimages to the monument to ask Juliet for help in matters of the heart and make a wish.
After standing in line of all those thirsting for love, you, being near Juliet, must touch her chest and say your wish. It is worth saying that some tourists rub the chest of Juliet too diligently and for a long time, while spreading all their problems and dreams to her, which is why the authorities of Verona are forced to re-cast the statue's chest every few years.
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Germany
In Cologne, Germany, not far from St. Martin's Church, there is a monument to Thünnes and Shel, heroes of local folklore, anecdotes and theatrical performances. Thünnes is a plump, rustic little man, good-natured and extremely easy to talk to. Shel is a tall and skinny cunning city dweller with whom you should always be on the lookout. It is believed that Thünnes and Schell coexist in every Cologne, and the popularity of these characters has gone far beyond the borders of Cologne, turning their monument into one of the most visited places in the city. Thünnes and Shel will bring you happiness and fulfill your wish if you manage to step on the toes of their boots, grab their noses, and while balancing you will guess whatever is required.
Czech
The Jewish cemetery in Prague annually meets many tourists, many of whom, regardless of their faith and nationality, go directly to the grave of Rabbi Leva. During his lifetime, Yehuda Loew ben Bezalel was a rabbi and a famous thinker, with questions to whom even the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire turned to. In addition, ben Bezalel was an expert on the Cabal and it is he who is credited with creating the golem, a clay giant called to protect the Jewish people.
According to legend, Rabbi Leo is sitting in his grave, reading old books and waiting for his last great-grandson, who will come centuries later and inform the ancestor that "the issue has been resolved." That is why tourists come to the tombstone of the rabbi and leave there notes with their desires and requests, confident in the wisdom and magical abilities of Ben Bezalel.
Cyprus
Greek mythology assures us that the goddess of love Aphrodite emerged from the sea foam on the shores of Cyprus, somewhere between the modern tourist towns of Paphos and Limassol. That is why the bay located there was named after Aphrodite, and tourists rushed there to find help from the goddess in fulfilling their desires.
It is believed that Aphrodite can fulfill any desire, but prefers the desires of women who ask her for love. The very process of making a wish is very pleasant. You just have to swim in the waters of the bay, and then go to the ancient tree near the bus stop. You will immediately recognize the tree by the number of ribbons and beads on its branches that other tourists left before you. You will also need to leave something on the tree as a keepsake so that your wish will definitely come true.
Ireland
One of the most famous places in Ireland is the ancient Blarney Castle, with a stone of eloquence embedded in its wall. By kissing him, you will immediately turn into a skilled speaker or, in the modern version, learn English. There are several legends about the origin of the stone. The first of them, a magical story with references to Irish folklore, tells the story of St. Patrick and an unnamed witch. Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the country and waged war against the pagans. During the war, Patrick met a young witch, to whom he was filled with feelings, but due to his convictions he could not pardon. As a parting gift, the witch left Saint Patrick a magic stone that fulfills wishes.
The second story is more realistic and says that the stone in the walls of the castle is a fragment of the Skunk Stone, on which the Scottish rulers were crowned since ancient times. Using a stone as a shortcut to fulfill your wishes is extremely difficult. It is located at a height of several tens of meters above the ground, so first you will need to climb the wall using the stairs, find the caretaker and ask him to turn into your "climbing equipment" for a while. While the caretaker will insure you and hold you by your legs, you will have to lie on the wall, bend over and manage to kiss the stone.
Evgeniya Bashurina