Swirling currents of history converge right here at the Bertoldsbrunnen. “Berti,” as the locals affectionately call it, might not strike you as a traditional fountain at first glance. Forget the spouting gargoyles and the overflowing basin you might expect. Instead, this landmark stands as a testament to Freiburg’s resilience. It embodies the city’s commitment to modernity.
Until 1806, the Fischbrunnen stood proudly at the intersection of Kaiser-Joseph-Straße and Salzstraße. However, a decision was made to erect a new fountain. The Fischbrunnen was relocated to the north. It was moved to the height of Münsterstraße. Sadly, the Fischbrunnen was destroyed during the Second World War. A replica now graces the north side of Münsterplatz.
In 1807, the new fountain was built at the crossroads of Salzstraße and Kaiser-Joseph-Straße. This was to honor Duke Berthold III, the founder of Freiburg. The monument also served as a tribute to Karl Friedrich of Baden. He was the new ruler of Freiburg.
Ferdinand Weiss, a Freiburg city councilor, designed the monument. Friedrich Weinbrenner, the director of the Baden building authority, reviewed and modified the designs. Johann Georg Riescher, a master mason and stonemason, constructed the fountain. Franz Anton Xaver Hauser, a sculptor, created the model, inscriptions, and statue. The statue depicted Berthold III of Zähringen as an armored knight. He held a shield and spear. The statue faced east, towards the ancestral castle of the Zähringens.
The Zähringer Fountain suffered complete destruction during a British air raid on November 27, 1944. Initially, a proposal to reconstruct the old figure was rejected. The city wanted a more timeless design.
Nikolaus Röslmeir designed the new Bertoldsbrunnen. It features a limestone base that is about four meters high. This base stands in a shallow pool of water. An equestrian statue tops the base. The design incorporates a Gothic pointed arch. This creates a connection to the Freiburg Minster.
The inscription on the base reads: “To the Dukes of Zähringen, Founders and Lords of Freiburg im Breisgau.” A medieval seal image inspired the rider.
The Bertoldsbrunnen was funded by donations. The city council had made this a requirement in February 1958. The fountain cost 120,000 DM. Eugen Keidel, the mayor, laid the foundation stone on November 15, 1965. On November 27, 1965, the anniversary of the 1944 bombing, the fountain was dedicated.
In 1979, the Bertoldsbrunnen moved from the tram island to its current location. The fountain’s basin was removed. The monument was placed in an in-ground water basin. This basin is fed by Dreisam water.
Today, the Bertoldsbrunnen stands as a reminder of Freiburg’s past. It also represents the city’s embrace of the future. As you stand here, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. This is a place where tradition meets modernity. It is a space where the echoes of the past resonate with the energy of the present.