Fischbrunnen
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Josef Henselmann (1954, present form)
 | |
| Location | Marienplatz, Munich, Germany |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 48°08′14″N 11°34′34″E / 48.13724°N 11.57619°E |
| Designer | Konrad Knoll (1862-1865, original design) Josef Henselmann (1954, present form) |
| Type | Fountain |
| Material | Nagelfluh basin, Bronze sculptures |
| Beginning date | 1318 (earliest mention of a fountain at the location) |
| Completion date | 1954 (present form) |
| Restored date | 1991, 2011 |
| Dedicated to | (Commemorates fishmongers and butcher's guild traditions) |
| Notable Traditions | Metzgersprung (Butcher's Jump), Wallet washing (by mayor) |
The Fischbrunnen is a fountain in the center of Munich, whose history can be traced back to the Middle Ages. In 1954, Josef Henselmann created the fountain in its present form, using parts of Konrad Knoll’s neo-gothic fountain that was destroyed during the Second World War.
The Fischbrunnen is located in front of the main entrance of the New Town Hall on the Marienplatz in the old town of Munich.
Story
On the Schrannenplatz, today's Marienplatz, a fountain was established in the year 1318,[1] whose exact location can no longer be determined. In 1343 a "citizen's fountain" is mentioned, which was later also called "Marktbrunnen". It was located in the northeastern area of the square, which is now the location of today's Fischbrunnen. At this location, it was a dug-out or draining fountain, which reached the groundwater, which is relatively shallow under the center of Munich.[2][3]
After completion of the first water pipeline transporting water from sources outside the city to the city center of Munich, the fountain on the Marienplatz was the first and for a long time the only fountain connected to the new water pipe. The fountain supplied constantly flowing water from four brass tubes.[3]
The predecessor of today's Fischbrunnen was designed by Konrad Knoll in 1862 to 1865[1] and put into operation on 19 September 1866.[4] The bronze sculptures of the neo-gothic fountain were poured in the Ferdinand von Millers royal ore-foundry. In the fish-fountain itself were four butcher builders, who poured buckets of water into the fountain. Above them stood four musical children. At the top stood a senior journeyman with a raised cup.
Since 29 July 1884, water from the Mangfall Valley flows out of the fountain. This is also the reason for the engraved 1884 in the basin.
After the almost complete destruction in the war in 1944, Joseph Henselmann recreated the fountain in 1954, using three remaining butcher figures. Three musicians of the Knoll Fountain were also preserved and are now to be found at the Karlstor.[1]
The fountain now consists of a Nagelfluh basin, whose central column is crowned by a bronze fish from Henselmann's pupil Otto Kallenbach.[1] This fish is reminiscent of the time when the Marienplatz still served as a central market place and the fishmonger hung their still living goods in baskets in the fresh fountain water. The three butchers let their buckets pour water into the basin, therefore the figure group plays on the "Metzgerprung" (see below).
In the course of a fundamental restoration in 1991, the fountain was equipped with a ground-water drinking point for the Munich dogs. During the last renovation in autumn 2011, the joints of the basin were re-sealed and the bronze figures were decalcified and preserved.[4][5]
