Our hotel in Florence was on Porta Rossa, not far from il Porcellino, so we walked by him every day. It is customary to rub his snout for good luck. Another legend tells visitors to place a coin in the pig's mouth and if it falls in the slot below it guarantees that you will return to Florence. The market behind il Porcellino still exists as it did in the days of Hans Christian Andersen, but the goods being sold have changed.
Here's an excerpt from Hans Christian Andersen's Metalsvinet (Metal Pig):
"In the city of Florence, not far from the Piazza del
Granduca, there is a little cross street which I think is called Porta Rossa.
In front of a sort of market in this street, where vegetables are sold, stands
an artificial but beautifully fashioned metal pig. A fountain of fresh clear
water gushes out of the animal's mouth... Everyone who goes to Florence surely
finds the place; you only have to ask the first beggar you see about the metal
pig, and he will find it for you."
