Olowianka footbridge over the Motlawa River in Gdansk, Pomerania (Poland)

The residents and guests of Gdansk often threw gold coins into the Neptune fountain "for luck". When there were so many coins that the fountain stopped working Neptune struck them with his trident and shattered them into thousands of small gold flakes. The water in the fountain turned into a sweet liqueur. The town innkeepers filled barrels with the golden drink from the fountain all night long. Only the owner of the inn "Under the Salmon", decided not to rob Neptune. In the morning, it turned out that the barrels of greedy merchants contained only pure water, and the cellar of the modest innkeeper was filled with tanks of Goldwasser.

Gdansk legend

Zielona Most (Green Bridge) over the Motlawa River in Gdansk, Pomerania (Poland)

When cathedral bells toll through the morningand sunlight touches steeples with its glare,
and arrows on the town hall clock stop turning,
you will find him on the market square,
sweeping leaves in shadows of despair.
And in that instant you will cease your yearning.
Hunchbacked, with a chuckle he will share
the secrets of his heart, and give a warning
to city doves assembling at his feet,
to sparrows quarrelling on Neptune’s head.
He’ll lower his tobacco chin to meet
their eyes and whisper what Saint Francis said.
He’ll toss crumbs with his withered sailor’s hand.
And when he looks up, you will understand.

Poem The Birdman of Gdansk,
by Leo Yankevich