Fountains, Bern

As you enter the Munsterplatz on your was to the Munster take time to stop and admire the beautiful statute of Moses located in the centre of the platz.

Built during 1545 it is in excellent condition and tells the story of the 2nd Commandment.

Zähringerbrunnen is a fountain that you will find close to the Zytgloggeturm. It was dedicated for Berchtold V, the Duke of Zähringen, (1160 - 1218) who is shown there as a bear in full armoury with a smaller bear between his knees,Berchtold von Zähringer is considdered to be the founder of Bern. The Zähringerbrunnen was built in the year 1542.

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Kindlifresser - Brunnen is certainly the most famous of all of the many fountains in Bern. Kindlifresser is according to an old ledgend a man who eats little children and you can also see this clearly on top of this fountain. A row of bear-soldiers is lined up on the bottom of the fountain.
This monument was made by Hans Gieng, who lived between 1525 and1562 and 3 of the many fountains of Bern were made by him.

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This is a really funny fountain in front of the Bundeshaus and no matter how long you stay there watching it, you never find out about the system according to which the different fountains will spit out water or not.
This fountain is really a lot of fun, mainly for children who enjoy running through the fountains, hoping not to be cought.

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There are lots of beautiful medieval fountains in Bern (over 100). Even though most of hem don't have the original statues, it's still a sight to be seen the colours and statutes.

And also, at least for a Portuguese, the fact that they are standing in the middle of the street.

The "Kronenbrunnen" (Crown Fountain) or "Oberer Postgassbrunnen" (Upper Post Street Fountain) as it is situated in the upper part of the "Postgasse".

It has been mentioned in 1732 for the first time. The fountain of today was erected in 1820/25 and is the only highly classical fountain in Bern.

Bern people call the fountain also "Lischetti-Brunnen", since the Bern artist Carlo Edoardo Lischetti (1846-2005) has complimented the fountain with a stair and an observation platform above the fountain as a piece of street art.

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As you work your way along the main street running through Bern, you'll come across a series of colorful carved fountains. Starting at the side closest to the Bear pits:

Photo #1 Justice (Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, 1543), the pope is included with the worshippers at her feet, on Gerechtigkeitsgasse

Photo #2 Sampson (Simsonbrunnen, 1527), a pillar topped with a figure of Sampson wrestling with a lion, on Kramgasse

Photo #3 Zahringen (Zahringerbrunnen, 1535), monument to the city founder, Berchtold von Zahringen, it has a bear on it in armor holding the Zahringen coat of arms, on Kramgasse

Photo #4 Ogre (Kindlifresserbrunnen, 1544), this was my favorite, very grotesque, it shows an ogre eating small children, near Kornhausplatz

Photo #5 Ryffli (Ryfflibrunnen, 1545), a captain with a small bear, on Aarbergegasse

There are a lot more fountains that I didn't come across, the bagpiper fountain, Anna Seiler Fountain, Musketeer Fountain, Moses Fountain, Ensign Fountain, Messenger Fountain. They are all marked on the map that you can get at the tourist office.

This fountain represents Berchtold V, Duke of Zarhinger, who was the founder of Bern with a bear between his legs. The bear (symbol of Bern) is eating grapes. This image made us smile because the helmet and the armour reminded us of an astronaut and it seemed a bit anachronic. The fountain was erected in 1542, although the foundation of the city was earlier, in 1191.

Esta fuente representa a Berchtold V, duque de Zarhinger, que fue el fundador de Berna con un oso entre sus piernas. El oso (simbolo de Berna) esta comiendo un racimo de uvas. Esta imagen nos hizo sonreir, porque el casco y la armadura nos recordaron a un astronauta y parecia un poco anacronico. La fuente fue erigida en 1542, aunque la fundacion de la ciudad fue antes, en 1191.

Schutzenbrunnen: Located also at Marktgasse, this fountain contrast highly with Seilerbrunnen, the other fountain in this street. It was built as a tribute to a troop commander who is shown in full armour with a bear at his feet. It is a work by Hans Gieng

Schutzenbrunnen: en la misma Marktgasse, esta fuente contrasta mucho con Seilerbrunnen, la otra fuente de esta calle. Fue construida como tributo a un comandante de tropas al que se representa con su armadura completa y un oso a sus pies. Es obra de Hans Gieng

This fountain is located at Marktgasse and it honours the figure of Anna Seiler, a woman which donated a hospital to the city of Bern in XIVth century. It represents a woman pouring water into a bowl, which holds with her hand. It is also supposed to stand for a symbol of moderation

Esta fuente esta situada en Marktgasse y conmemora la figura de Anna Seiler, una mujer que dono un hospital a la ciudad de Berna en el siglo XIV. Representa a una mujer vertiendo agua en un recipiente que sostiene en su mano. Tambien se supone que es un simbolo que personifica la moderacion