The story
Welcome to the Mercato Nuovo, the New Market. In a city as old as Florence, the word new is a relative term, as these elegant Renaissance arches have stood here since the mid-sixteenth century. But you haven't come here just for the architecture.
You are standing before the city’s most beloved resident, Il Porcellino. Despite his name, which translates to the little pig, he is actually a formidable wild boar, cast in bronze and frozen in a moment of alert curiosity, as if he has just wandered out of the Tuscan woods and into the heart of the city. Take a moment to look at him.
You will notice that while most of his bronze body is a dark, weathered patina, his snout shines with a brilliant, polished gold. That shimmer is the result of centuries of human hope. Legend says that if you rub the boar's snout, you ensure your return to Florence.
It is a ritual performed by millions of travelers, from curious backpackers to world leaders. But there is a second, more challenging part to the tradition. To truly earn the boar's favor, you must take a coin and place it inside his gaping mouth.
As you let go, the coin must fall through the iron grate at his feet where the water flows. If the coin stays on the grate, better luck next time. If it falls through, your wish will be granted.
The money collected from this fountain doesn’t just sit there; for centuries, it has been donated to the city’s children’s hospital, making your wish a small act of charity. This masterpiece was created by Pietro Tacca around 1633. Tacca was the finest bronze caster of his era, and he based this work on an ancient Roman marble statue that was a gift to the Medici family.
While the boar you see here is a high-quality copy placed here for preservation, the spirit of the place remains unchanged. Originally, this fountain wasn't just for luck; it provided water to the merchants who traded silk and precious cloths under this loggia. As you stand here, look down at the floor in the center of the market.
You might see a circular bicolored marble slab. This is the Pietra dello Scandalo, or the Stone of Shame. In the Renaissance, this was the spot where bankrupt merchants were publicly humiliated.
It is a somber reminder of the high stakes of Florentine commerce, standing in stark contrast to the jovial atmosphere of the leather stalls surrounding you today. Before you continue your walk, give the boar’s snout one last rub. Listen to the splash of the water and the distant chime of the bells from the nearby Piazza della Signoria.
You have just participated in a tradition that connects you to four hundred years of Florentine history. When you are ready, follow the scent of leather and the narrow cobblestone streets toward your next stop.