Zähringer Brunnen I
The bear of Bern stands atop the Zähringer Brunnen, a fountain which commemorates the founder of Bern, Duke Berchtold von Zähringen. The bear is holding the Zähringen coat of arms.
Throughout the streets of Bern’s Altstadt (Old Town) stand numerous 16th century fountains – 250 in total – 11 of which, as well as dispensing water, are decorated with statues and sculptures of figures from history and folklore, each with their own significance.
Among the best-known and most spectacular of the fountains – brunnen – are the Pfeiferbrunnen (Piper Fountain), Zähringer Brunnen (which depicts a Bern bear in armour in honour of the city’s founder Duke Berchtold von Zähringen) and the Kindlifresserbrunnen (Child-eater Fountain, with an ogre shoving children into its mouth).
As well as supplying water, some of the fountains served other purposes, with the Ogre Fountain meant to scare away children from the city’s old moat.
Zähringer Brunnen I
The bear of Bern stands atop the Zähringer Brunnen, a fountain which commemorates the founder of Bern, Duke Berchtold von Zähringen. The bear is holding the Zähringen coat of arms.
Throughout the streets of Bern’s Altstadt (Old Town) stand numerous 16th century fountains – 250 in total – 11 of which, as well as dispensing water, are decorated with statues and sculptures of figures from history and folklore, each with their own significance.
Among the best-known and most spectacular of the fountains – brunnen – are the Pfeiferbrunnen (Piper Fountain), Zähringer Brunnen (which depicts a Bern bear in armour in honour of the city’s founder Duke Berchtold von Zähringen) and the Kindlifresserbrunnen (Child-eater Fountain, with an ogre shoving children into its mouth).
As well as supplying water, some of the fountains served other purposes, with the Ogre Fountain meant to scare away children from the city’s old moat.