Why is the neckline of a monument to a beautiful Irish woman polished to a shine (6 photos)

In Dublin there is a very popular monument to the young beauty Molly Malone. This is the heroine of a plaintive folk song, a merchant of shellfish and shellfish. The eye is immediately drawn to her not particularly modest outfit and eye-catching spots of color. The neckline area and her hands seem golden - they are so polished.





Photo of Molly Malone Monument/Public Domain.

The explanation is probably not so obvious, but the details are still interesting. Molly Malone lived in Dublin at the end of the 17th century. The image is rather a collective one, although about thirty years ago Irish researchers announced that they had found “the same Molly.” Every day, Malone rolled a seafood cart around the city and called on customers. The friendly beauty was loved by many. Some, probably keeping in mind the immodest attire of the merchant, suggest that in the evening she practiced another profession.



However, as they say, “but this is not certain.” In those simple times, many girls from the people wore similar dresses with a large neckline - it was convenient to feed babies, including right on the street. Molly Malone lived for 36 years, and in 1699 she was taken by an “evil fever” (apparently typhus). Soon a melodic, soulful song about a girl appeared, which became the folk and unofficial anthem of Dublin. The Irish sing it in pubs, stadiums - everywhere.





But enough history, let's return to the mystery of the bronze monument. It appeared in 1988. The girl with the cart, of course, immediately attracted the attention of tourists - first of all, with her outfit. For the time being, no one touched her, people just took pictures next to her. However, about ten years ago, the belief that touching Molly Malone's cleavage would bring good luck began to gain popularity.



And off we go. Now there are entire queues of tourists lining up at the monument. They wait patiently for their opportunity to “lay on hands” and take photos. Many people still help Molly push the cart, which is why Malone’s hands are polished to a shine. This causes the bronze layer to become thinner. The sweat and grease from the palms of millions of tourists caused the metal to shine and brightly colored “bald spots” appeared on the monument.



In Verona, the monument to Juliet even had to be replaced.

Many Irish people don't like this very much. There were even campaigns demanding that Molly be left alone. Can you really bring the tourists to their senses? By the way, all over the world there are similar monuments with rubbed places. In Verona, Juliet is touched to shine - people believe that touching her will bring happiness in love. And look at the statue of the inquisitive neighbor in Madrid. Also tinder for good luck.



Neighbor from Madrid. It’s unlikely that the sculptor expected this...