Schöner Brunnen, Nuremberg

The "Beautiful Fountain" on Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt looks more like a church spire than a fountain: a Gothic tower about 19 meters tall, built between 1385 and 1396 and painted and gilded, with 40 figures of emperors, prophets and heroes arranged in tiers. The ritual is at the railing, where visitors turn a brass ring for luck and a wish. Locals will tell you the plain dark iron ring on the other side is the one that really works.