It’s on the left side, just next to the entrance to the Franciscan monastery and the stairway that leads up onto the city’s famous walls. The head stands some half a meter above the ground, sticking out barely fifteen centimeters. Its top surface is polished like marble. The wall above it is noticeably greasy from the touch of a thousand hands.
Legend has it that if you manage to hop onto the head, keep your balance, and take off your shirt while still standing facing the wall, luck in love will follow you.
The gargoyle head was supposed to represent an owl. It was once the end of a pipe that drained rainwater from the top of the building. The pipes were rerouted a long time ago, and water doesn’t flow from its mouth anymore.
One of the most legendary maskerons is near the Franciscan monastery, close to the steep stairway that visitors climb to reach the city walls. As you come through the Pile Gate, it’s on the left side, about a foot off the ground.
According to legend, if you can stand on top of the head facing the wall, maintain your balance, and remove your shirt, you will forever be lucky in love.
We didn’t learn about this custom until after we spotted this maskeron – and we already feel quite lucky in love anyways, lol but it was nevertheless fun seeing these maskeron balancing attempts and learning more about the legend afterward.
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