Fountains of Bern

The beautiful and compact capital of Switzerland is the city of Bern . This is one of the well-preserved old settlements with a rich history and a huge architectural heritage. One of the attractions of the city ​​of Bern are its fountains.

City of a hundred fountains

For more than half a century among Europeans and inveterate tourists, Berne is known as "the city of a hundred fountains", although in truth, there are already more than 100 of them today. The history of many of them takes us to the distant 13th century, when the city authorities drilled wells for obtaining clean drinking water for the needs of citizens. By the way, even now in many fountains water is suitable for drinking, which is what residents of neighboring houses and savvy tourists use.

Not all the old wells and fountains have survived for so many years. After all, they were originally made and made out of wood, and this is not the most timeless material. Already later many sources of water acquired a second life - just in stone or in an intricate composition.

Bernese fountains - what are they?

You will be pleasantly surprised, but the presentation of the classic fountain in the form of a basin with fine streams of iridescent water in Bern does not work. After all, initially, we recall, any fountain is a source of drinking water.

Some of the former old wells were intricately decorated with figures and stucco as conceived by master Hans Ging. The first such fountain appeared in Berne in 1520. There were eleven similar fountains in Old Bern . It is very interesting that the design of each of them is individual and thematic, dedicated to a certain mythological, real or religious character.

Overall, these fountains still have - a design feature: a bright large figure standing on a high column, which in turn is interestingly decorated with decor and stucco. According to some legends, part of the funds that are allocated annually for the repair and maintenance of fountains - a private fund, departed by will in the XIX century, the city for the maintenance of fountains. So what are these legendary objects?

  1. At the corner of Kramgassa Street, not far from the clock tower of Tsitglogge , since 1535 there is a beautiful Tseringer fountain dedicated to the founder of the city of Bern. True, he looks like a bear in armor with a coat of arms and a banner, but a real symbol of the city.
  2. In Bern there is a fountain "Justice" , depicting fair justice - Themis with a sword and weights. It is located on the Römerberg Square and is the embodiment of the primacy of the essence over the collective image of all forms of power: the emperor, the sultan, the judge and the Pope.
  3. Before the building of the Town Hall from 1542 the fountain "The standard-bearer" flaunts. The statue of a warrior is carved from stone, it is clothed in combat armor, and in hands holds a flag with the image of the city coat of arms. Of course, there could not have been without the sculptures of the bear, which keeps the soldier by the leg.
  4. One of the terrible fountains in Bern - "Devourer of children . " Above the small square Kornhausplatz towers a huge ogre, whose bag is full of young children, one of which he has already begun to devour. This is the embodiment of a mythical villain for warning disobedient children.
  5. Fountain "Piper" , perhaps, is one of the simplest, not burdened with any special meaning, but very beautiful. The figure of a piper in a classic blue suit with one of the unusual and mysterious musical instruments.
  6. The "Strelok" fountain looks less bright against the background of its "brothers". What is interesting, a man, though dressed in the armor of his time, but in his hands only a sword and a banner, and the gun is held by a small bear sitting at his feet.
  7. In addition, the fountain "Anna Seiler" belongs to the cycle of fountains of the XV-XVI centuries. According to the idea of ​​the author, the statue should depict moderation. The fountain is represented by a female figure in simple clothes that pours water from a jug into a bowl. The fountain is dedicated to the founder of the hospital.
  8. One of the biblical characters Samson , tearing the jaws of the lion, also became a fountain in Bern. What is interesting is that at first the fountain was called the ancient slaughterhouse, then it was called "Butcher", and only in 1827 he was given the name that has come down to our days.
  9. One of the recognizable fountains in Bern is "Moses" . The Prophet holds a book in one hand, where all the Ten Commandments are written, and the second hand points to the commandment "Do not make yourself an idol." It is believed that the author of the figure is Nikolaus Sporrer, and the columns and basin are Nikolaus Shprjungli.