At the northwest of the building, there is a column with a hole in the middle covered by bronze plates. This column goes by different names; the perspiring or sweating column, the crying column, or the wishing column. The column is said to be damp when touched and have supernatural powers. The legend states that since Gregory the Wonderworker appeared near the column in the year 1200, it has been moist. It is believed that touching the moisture cures many illnesses.