Bridge Monkey (Brückenaffe)

The Bridge Monkey (Brückenaffe) is a bronze sculpture at the Brückentor, the gate at the Altstadt end of the Alte Brücke in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The figure shows a monkey holding a mirror, and it has been a popular local curiosity since the original was placed on the bridge in the Middle Ages, with the present sculpture dating from the 20th century. According to local tradition, the monkey served as a mocking warning to visitors, with the mirror reminding people to look at themselves, and a common saying links it to the town's humour. Visitors can rub the monkey's fingers or the mirror, a custom said to bring luck, and the sculpture is often accompanied by smaller mice figures nearby, which some say are symbols of fertility and prosperity. The statue stands at the foot of the gate beside the bridge, where people pause on their way across the Neckar. A visit takes about 10 minutes, and it is free and open at all times. Photographers often take a portrait of the monkey with the bridge or the castle in the background, and many visitors pose beside the figure. The area around the sculpture is busiest at midday and on summer weekends, when groups queue for photographs, so the best time to enjoy it without crowds is early morning or later in the evening. The sculpture is small, so the visit is best combined with a crossing of the Alte Brücke, a look at the gate towers and a walk along the Neckar. The bridge deck and gate are close to the Marktplatz, about five minutes away on foot, and a bus stop is nearby. Visitors should take care on the bridge, where cyclists and vehicles may pass, and should not climb on the sculpture or the gate. The sculpture is part of the playful character of Heidelberg's historic centre.