Bern Fountains

Fountain in Bern

Fountains Of Bern
CC BY-SA 4.0 / JoachimKohlerBremen

Bern is home to an impressive 100 public fountains, many of which have fascinating histories and some that offer free, drinkable water to passers-by. Among these, the 11 Renaissance fountains in the city center are the most famous. Created by the Swiss sculptor Hans Gieng in the 16th century, these fountains feature polychrome sculptures on pedestals.

The sculptures depict various figures, including dignitaries from Bern’s past, historic figures like Moses (as seen on the Mosesbrunnen), and symbolic figures such as Lady Justice, who stands atop the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Fountain of Justice).

The Zähringerbrunnen (Zähringen Fountain), located near the Zytglogge clock, deserves special mention. It is crowned with a statue of a bear in full armor, complete with weapons. Another notable fountain is the Läuferbrunnen (Runner Fountain), built to celebrate Bern’s power.

Originally, the city had wooden fountains, which were later replaced by these elaborate stone fountains. They served as important social hubs where locals could meet and exchange gossip. Today, these fountains remain central to Bern’s community life, serving as venues for Christmas markets, political demonstrations, and other gatherings.

Good to know: The Kronenbrunnen in Postgasse is known as a fountain without a sculpture on top. It’s a popular photo spot where visitors can climb the stairs to the top and stand where a statue would typically be.

The Bern Fountains appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bern!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Visiting Bern Fountains

Hours:

24 Hours


Price:

Free

Address: Zähringerbrunnen, Kramgasse, Bern, Switzerland
Duration: 20 minutes

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs