Naked Austrian statue shocks mayor

SALZBURG, Austria, July 25 (UPI) -- Even Prince Charles may find it hard to keep a stiff British upper lip as he passes by the giant statue during his weekend trip to Salzburg, Austria.

That is what is worrying Salzburg Mayor Heinz Schaden as he prepares to receive the heir to the British throne, who is well-heeled in the art of British understatement, BBC reports.

The cause of His Honor's worry?

The statue, unveiled Friday, is named "Arc de Triomphe." It depicts a naked man bending over backwards with his hands on the ground, while his manhood, shown in two-feet long erection, thrusts skyward.

Mayor Schaden says it would be impossible for Prince Charles to avoid seeing the figure when he arrives in the city of Mozart's birth. He wants the sculpture taken down immediately.

It seems no one sought the mayor's permission to put up the art. The artists who did the work say the piece has a royal theme about it with the majestic arch of the man bending over.