Čumil, Bronze sculpture in Old Town, Slovakia
Čumil is a bronze sculpture at the corner of Panská and Laurinská streets showing a man with a wide grin emerging from a manhole. The figure appears dynamic and humorous, as if just popping up from beneath the street.
Sculptor Viktor Hulík created the work in 1997 during a period of urban renewal in Bratislava following Slovakia's independence. The creation occurred when the city was shaping its new identity and public artworks symbolized this transformation.
The figure embodies a municipal worker on break and reflects local humor about work culture in the region. It has become a meeting point for visitors navigating the Old Town's narrow streets.
The statue stands protected by its own traffic signs at the corner of Rybárska brána in the Old Town and is easy to reach on foot. The location is popular with pedestrians and sits in an area with other shops and restaurants to explore.
According to local legend, touching the head of the statue while keeping a secret makes a wish come true. This ritual has made the bronze figure a popular spot for tourists and locals eager to express their hopes.
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