Everard 't Serclaes, Brussels

In the tiny arcade under Grand Place 8 (The Star), there's a golden statue of Everard 't Serclaes. The Middle Ages were rather tranquil times for Brussels until Lodewijk van Male, the Count of Flanders, seized power in 1355. Eventually, his troops were forced out of the city by a band of citizens, led by Serclaes. Today, according to legend, rubbing the wrist of Julien Dillens' 19th century statue of 't Serclaes will bring good luck and grant long-forgotten wishes. The Star formerly housed a pub where the Belgian Socialist Party was founded. Now it is home to the stylish La Maison du Cygne restaurant.