Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Fountains, Bern
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Europe » Switzerland » Kanton Bern » Bern » Things To Do » Fountains Reviews

Bern Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers.

Fountains, Bern

Fountains tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bern locals.
• 66 Photos
• 42 Reviews

See all Bern Things To Do
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Fountains: Kindlifresserbrunnen (Child Eater Fountain)
  • Tip Rating:
  • hojasdehierba
  • By hojasdehierba on March 4, 2006
  • Bern Page by hojasdehierba
  • Detail of Kindlifresserbrunnen - Bern
    Detail of
    Kindlifresserbrunnen
    by hojasdehierba,
    1 more photos
    This fountain is located at Kornhausplatz and it depicts the figure of an Ogre eating a child, with other children around him, who are supposed to follow the same destiny. It struck us as a bizarre image. It is located over an octogonal well and it stands at Kornhausplatz since of XVIIth century, although it was made at XVIth century. The image of the Ogre is traditionally said to stand for a Bernese Jew of XIIIth century, which allegedly committed a ritual murder, but perhaps it is mere speculation. It seems to me more probable to be a reinterpretation of Greek god Kronos, whose iconography always displays him in the act of devouring his own children. In any case, it is the most original work by Hans Gieng and it is for sure that this image will have been used to get Bernese children scared since it was erected.

    Esta fuente esta situada en la Kornhausplatz y muestra la figra de un ogro comiendose a un ninho, con otros ninhos a su alrededor, que se supone que van a seguir el mismo destino. Nos impacto por su rareza. Esta situada sobre un vaso octogonal y se encuentra en la Kornhausplatz desde el siglo XVII, aunque fue realizada en el XVI. Es tradicion decir que la imagen del ogro representa a un Judio de Berna del siglo XIII, que se supone que habia cometido un crimen ritual, pero quizas sea una mera especulacion. Me parece mas probable que sea una reinterpretacion del dios griego Kronos, cuya iconografia le muestra siempre en el acto de comerse a sus propios hijos. En cualquier caso, lo que si es un hecho es que es la obra mas original del artesano Hans Gieng y que sin duda esta imagen se habra usado para asustar a los ninhos de Berna desde siglos atras.

  • Address: Kornhausplatz
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Bern?

    Read reviews about Bern Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Fountains: Mosesbrunnen: Ten Commandments
  • Tip Rating:
  • hojasdehierba
  • By hojasdehierba on March 6, 2006
  • Bern Page by hojasdehierba
  • Mosesbrunnen - Bern
    Mosesbrunnen
    by hojasdehierba
    In front of Bern Munster, in Munsterplazt we found one of the most famous fountains: Moses Fountain. It represents Moses holding the Ten Commandments and pointing at the second one, which forbids idolatry, one of the main principles of Luther Reform. Again, image is used to teach religious principles to people.

    Delante de la Catedral de Berna, en Munsterplatz encontramos una de las fuentes mas famosas: la fuente de Moises. Representa a Moises sosteniendo la tabla de los Diez Mandamientos y senhalando al segundo, que prohibe la idolatria, uno de los principios fundamentales de la Reforma Protestante. Otra vez, la imagen se usa para ensenhar principios religiosos al pueblo

  • Address: Munsterplatz
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: Schutzenbrunnen
  • Tip Rating:
  • hojasdehierba
  • By hojasdehierba on March 10, 2006
  • Bern Page by hojasdehierba
  • Musketeer fountain, with Zytglogge behind it - Bern
    Musketeer fountain, with
    Zytglogge behind it
    by hojasdehierba
    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

  • Address: Marktgasse
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: Ogre or Child Eater Fountain
  • Tip Rating:
  • littlesam1
  • Updated By littlesam1 on October 17, 2003
  • Bern Page by littlesam1
  • Kindlifesser-brunnen - Bern
    Kindlifesser-brunnen
    by littlesam1
    Although I claimed the Samson Fountain as my own this one is actually my favorite fountain. It is really bizarre and a bit grotesque. It is known by several names. It is called the Ogre or Child Eater Fountain. It is also called the Kindlifesser-brunnenfountain. This fountain features an Ogre or man eating children. He has one in his mouth and has several stuck in sacks on his back. The legend has it that when it was originally constructed children were told not to past the fountain or they would be eaten. So it kind of worked as babysitter. There are other stories connected with the history of this fountain but they are not quite as amusing. Some say it was a political statement relating to anti semetism.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: Musketeer Fountain
  • Tip Rating:
  • littlesam1
  • Updated By littlesam1 on October 15, 2003
  • Bern Page by littlesam1
  • Musketeer Fountain - Bern
    Musketeer Fountain
    by littlesam1
    The fountains in Bern are all unique. There is one dedicated to Justice. The Samson Fountain. This one is the Musketeer Fountain. As you can tell from the picture it is located on Krammegasse not far from the clock tower. The Musketeer is holding his flag and there are flowers decorating the bottom around his feet. All if the fountains are potable and can be used for drinking.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Bern?

    Read reviews about Bern Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Fountains: Samson Fountain
  • Tip Rating:
  • littlesam1
  • Updated By littlesam1 on October 15, 2003
  • Bern Page by littlesam1
  • Samson Fountain - Bern
    Samson Fountain
    by littlesam1
    I found the fountains in Switzerland to be beautiful and fascinating. They are as unique to Switzerland as are watches and fondue. Many of the fountains in Bern are found in the middle of Krammegasse. This one is the Samson Fountain which I described on the opening page for Bern. The carvings and colors on the fountains are beautiful.

    Leave a Comment

  • Address: Krammegasse
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: Zahringenbrunnen (Zahringen Fountain)
  • Tip Rating:
  • Fam_Stoica
  • Updated By Fam_Stoica on August 9, 2004
  • Bern Page by Fam_Stoica
  • Zahringer Fountain, Bern - Bern
    Zahringer Fountain, Bern
    by Fam_Stoica,
    2 more photos
    This fountain is dedicated to the city founder - Berchtold V von Zahringen. It represents the Bern bear with the Zahringen coat of arms. The pillar, capital and figure were erected in 1535 by Hans Hiltprand and the basin in 1889.

    Leave a Comment

  • Directions: Kramgasse, Bern
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: Seilerbrunnen
  • Tip Rating:
  • hojasdehierba
  • By hojasdehierba on March 9, 2006
  • Bern Page by hojasdehierba
  • Behind the fountain, Kafigturm - Bern
    Behind the fountain,
    Kafigturm
    by hojasdehierba
    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

  • Address: Marktgasse
  • Directions: Old City
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: A tribute to the founder: Zarhingerbrunnen
  • Tip Rating:
  • hojasdehierba
  • By hojasdehierba on March 13, 2006
  • Bern Page by hojasdehierba
  • The astronaut? - Bern
    The astronaut?
    by hojasdehierba
    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.

  • Address: Kramgasse
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Fountains: Gerechtigkeitbrunnen
  • Tip Rating:
  • hojasdehierba
  • By hojasdehierba on March 8, 2006
  • Bern Page by hojasdehierba
  • Detail - Bern
    Detail
    by hojasdehierba,
    1 more photos
    Located in Gerechtigkeitsgasse (Justice Street), when some of the oldest and most beautiful Bernese arcades may be admired, the image of this fountain represents the traditional iconography for justice: a woman with blinded eyes, a sword and a balance. It is a work by Hans Geing and dates back from XVIth century.

    Situada en Gerechtigkeitsgasse (calle de la Justicia), donde pueden admirarse algunos de los soportales mas bonitos y antiguos de Berna, la imagen de esta fuente representa a la Justicia con su iconografia tradicional: una mujer con ojos vendados, una espada y una balanza. Es obra de Hans Geing y data del siglo XVI

  • Address: Gerechtigkeitsgasse
  • Directions: Old City
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Bern Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 43 - Photos: 24
    Things To Do
    Tips: 362 - Photos: 534
    Nightlife
    Tips: 35 - Photos: 14
    Transportation
    Tips: 67 - Photos: 71
    Restaurants
    Tips: 66 - Photos: 53
    Shopping
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 23
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 33 - Photos: 30
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 18 - Photos: 11
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 2
    Local Customs
    Tips: 20 - Photos: 15
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 7
    Sports Travel
    Tips: 11 - Photos: 16
    General Tips
    Tips: 104 - Photos: 108

    Best Bern Travel Deals

    Austrian Tourism
    The Official Austrian National Tourist Office Website - Get Info!

    New York to Switzerland
    Book a Great Deal to Switzerland on the Air France Official Site Now

    20 Hotels in Bern (CH)
    Book your hotel in Bern online. Good availability and great rates!

    Switzerland Tours
    Personal Guide / Chauffeur. Great customized offers. Book here!

    Cheap Berne Hotels
    Up to %70 Off Berne Hotels Book online now&Save time and money

    Sponsored Links

    More Bern Travel Deals

    Cheap Zurich Hotels
    Up To 70% Off Hotels In Zurich Huge Savings, Instant Confirmation!

    Hotel Bern
    Save on Hotels in Tallinn With Expedia's Best Price Guarantee

    Resort Switzerland
    Reserve Resort Switzerland Hot Deals in Luxury Travel.

    Sponsored Links


    Bern Hotels





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.