If you’ve ever scrolled through a friend’s Italian vacation photos and seen them awkwardly cupping the chest of a bronze statue, you’ve seen the Romeo and Juliet boobies. It’s a weird tradition. It's kinda controversial. Honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing tourist rituals in Europe. Located in the Cortile della Giulietta (Juliet’s Courtyard) in Verona, the statue of Juliet Capulet is a magnet for millions of hands every single year.
The logic—if you can call it that—is that rubbing Juliet’s right breast will bring you luck in love. Is there any actual historical basis for this? Not really. It’s a modern myth that took on a life of its own, but it has created a massive headache for preservationists and city officials in Verona.
Why Everyone Touches the Romeo and Juliet Boobies
Verona is the City of Love. Naturally, people flock there hoping for a bit of Shakespearean magic, even though the play ends in a double suicide. The statue itself was created by sculptor Nereo Costantini and placed in the courtyard in 1972. Within decades, a "tradition" emerged. Travelers started believing that a quick touch of the bronze would guarantee they'd find their "Romeo" or keep their current relationship spicy.
It’s basically the Trevi Fountain of anatomy.
You’ll see lines stretching out of the courtyard and into the narrow Via Cappello. People of all ages wait patiently just to grab a photo with their hand on the Romeo and Juliet boobies. Some do it for the "luck," but let's be real: most do it for the Instagram shot. It’s become a rite of passage for backpackers and honeymooners alike.
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But there is a dark side to all this rubbing. Bronze is durable, but it isn't invincible. The constant friction from millions of palms, combined with the natural oils and acids from human skin, actually eats away at the metal. By the early 2010s, the original statue was in rough shape. Juliet had literally developed a hole in her chest.
The 2014 Replacement and the Current Statue
By 2014, the situation was dire. The "luck" was literally hollowing out the artwork. The City of Verona decided they couldn't just keep patching it up. They spent about 20,000 Euros to create a high-quality replica. The original Nereo Costantini statue was moved inside the museum (the Casa di Giulietta) to keep it safe from the elements and the wandering hands of tourists.
So, if you go to Verona today and touch the Romeo and Juliet boobies, you aren't actually touching the 1972 original. You're touching a stunt double.
Interestingly, the wear and tear didn't stop with the new statue. Even the replica started showing signs of damage within just a few years. In early 2024, reports surfaced that the replica had developed another small hole in the same spot on the right breast. It seems the sheer volume of tourists is faster than the speed of bronze restoration.
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Is It Disrespectful? The Great Debate
Not everyone thinks the tradition is cute. Many locals and feminist groups have pointed out that the ritual is a bit... creepy. Think about it. You’re rubbing the chest of a fictional teenage girl for "luck."
- Critics argue it promotes a culture of non-consensual touching.
- Preservationists hate that it destroys public art.
- The city council loves the tourism revenue but hates the repair bills.
It’s a weird tension. Verona relies on the "Juliet" brand for its economy. Without the balcony and the statue, it’s just another (admittedly beautiful) Italian city. But when the main attraction is a statue that people keep breaking by groping it, the optics get messy.
What the Experts Say About Verona’s Luck Rituals
Ettore Napione, a prominent Verona city official and art historian, has spoken extensively about the need to protect the site while acknowledging its cultural impact. The courtyard isn't actually where the "real" Juliet lived—because she didn't exist—but the house was bought by the city in 1905 specifically because it looked the part. The balcony was added even later, around 1936, using bits of a 17th-century sarcophagus.
The whole place is a beautiful, curated fiction.
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Because the entire site is a construction of myth, the "luck" associated with the Romeo and Juliet boobies is just as valid as the balcony itself. It's a participatory form of folklore. You aren't just looking at history; you're touching it, even if you're technically ruining it.
How to Visit Without Being "That" Tourist
If you're planning a trip to Verona, you should definitely see the courtyard, but you might want to rethink the grab. The area is tiny and can get incredibly claustrophobic. If you want a better experience, try these tips:
- Go Early: The gates open around 9:00 AM. If you get there at 8:45, you might actually see the courtyard without a wall of human bodies.
- Look, Don't Touch: Take a photo of the statue. Admire the craftsmanship. You don't actually have to rub the bronze to have a good trip.
- The Museum is Worth It: Most people just stand in the courtyard for free. Pay the few Euros to go inside the house. You can see the original statue (safely behind barriers) and even stand on the balcony.
- Write a Letter Instead: There is a long-standing tradition of leaving letters to Juliet. While the city discourages sticking them to the walls with chewing gum (gross), there are official post boxes and even "Juliet’s Secretaries" who respond to the mail.
Moving Beyond the Statue
Verona has so much more to offer than just a bronze chest. The Roman Arena is one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the world and still hosts world-class operas. The Castel San Pietro offers a view of the city that will make you forget all about the crowded courtyard below.
Ultimately, the Romeo and Juliet boobies are a symptom of how we consume travel in the modern age. We want a physical connection to the stories we love. We want the photo. We want the luck. But sometimes, the best way to honor a story—even a tragic one like Shakespeare’s—is to give the characters a little bit of personal space.
Actionable Steps for Your Verona Trip
- Book Your Tickets in Advance: As of 2024 and 2025, Verona has implemented stricter crowd control for the Juliet Courtyard. You often need to book a time slot online during peak season. Check the official Musei Civici di Verona website before you show up.
- Check the Restoration Schedule: Occasionally, the statue is removed for "buffing" or repairs. Don't be disappointed if she's gone for a week of maintenance.
- Explore the "Secret" Juliet Sites: Visit the Tomba di Giulietta (Juliet’s Tomb) located in the basement of the San Francesco al Corso monastery. It’s far quieter, much more atmospheric, and nobody is trying to rub anything for luck there.
- Respect the Local Laws: Verona has cracked down on graffiti and "love locks" in the area. Stick to digital memories rather than marking up the ancient stone walls.
Verona is a city that lives between fact and fiction. Whether you choose to participate in the tradition or just watch from the sidelines, the enduring popularity of the statue proves that we are still obsessed with the idea of a love that transcends time—even if we express that obsession in some pretty strange ways.