Singe du Grand'Garde, statue of a monkey on the city hall of Mons, Belgium
The Singe du Grand'Garde is a small bronze sculpture mounted on the facade of Mons' town hall. The figure depicts a seated monkey with simple, expressive features that invite closer observation from visitors.
The first written record of the sculpture dates to 1843, though experts believe it has been mounted on the facade since the late 1600s. Over centuries, the figure has survived multiple renovations of the town hall and remained a treasured part of the city's history.
The monkey is a familiar part of daily life on the Grand-Place, noticed by both residents and visitors. The tradition of stroking its head with the left hand is deeply rooted in local culture and connects people across generations through a simple gesture.
The sculpture is located on the Grand-Place in central Mons and is easy to find when visiting the town hall. Touching the monkey's head with your left hand follows local tradition, and many visitors take time to do this or photograph it.
Through the hands of countless visitors, the monkey's head has polished itself into a smooth, shiny surface over the years. A 20th-century local legend credits Paul Heupgen with creating the belief that stroking it with your left hand brings good luck for a year, making it the city's most visited lucky charm.
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