Vita Gazette – The statue of Juliet has a hole on the right breast, caused by “too much caress from tourists.”

The bronze reproduction of the figure made famous by William Shakespeare’s pen, located in Juliet’s House in the heart of the historic centre of Verona, has worn out due to the constant caresses and “touches” of tourists.

The very famous statue of Juliet, located in the courtyard of Via Cappello, is under the balcony in a tiny courtyard where Romeo is said to have wooed Juliet. It attracts hundreds of visitors every day who flock there for selfies and to touch breasts as part of a ritual believed to bring good luck in love.

Ten years ago, the original was replaced by a copy for the same reason. A small hole appeared on the sculpture’s right breast, which was mainly targeted by tourists who considered the gesture a symbol of luck for their love affairs. This scene has now become an unmissable tradition, especially among young couples.

The bronze figure is assaulted daily by hundreds of tourists who approach to touch and caress the statue.

Giulietta was at the centre of controversy in December after the headmaster of a Tuscan school described the ritual of touching one’s breasts as “sexist”.

The courtyard is adjacent to Juliet’s House, a renovated 13th-century building that once belonged to a noble family, the del Cappellos. Locals believe they inspired the fictional family of Juliet Capulet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The building’s balcony was added in the 20th century.

Today, Juliet’s House is a museum with a collection of paintings, Renaissance-era costumes, and the bed that appeared in Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. But most tourists forgo the museum to get the statue.