Eight bronze children. They sit perched on the edge of the Kinderbrunnen in Berlin-Schöneberg. Their playful expressions forever frozen in time. This isn’t just any fountain. It’s a piece of Berlin’s history.
The Kinderbrunnen was designed by Constantin Starck. He won third prize in a 1909 competition. His design was chosen anyway. Why? Because a large school stood nearby. The children were the perfect audience.
The original fountain was completed in 1913. It featured a beautiful octagonal basin. Eight bronze children adorned its edges. Each child had a unique pose. One played with an apple. Another adjusted a crown. One washed himself with a sponge. Another rubbed his chest. Four different designs. Each duplicated. Clever.
War came. The bronze children vanished. Likely melted down. The fountain fell into disrepair. But the Kinderbrunnen wasn’t forgotten. In 1960 the basin was restored. However the children were absent. It was a pale imitation of its former glory.
Then in 1986 neighbours acted. They wanted their beloved fountain back. They launched a campaign. Their efforts paid off. The Kinderbrunnen was finally restored to its former glory in 1989. Heinz Spilker recreated the children. He used original plaster casts. They were painstakingly recreated.
Today the Kinderbrunnen stands as a testament to resilience. It’s a symbol of community spirit. The children’s smiles welcome visitors. They remind us of the importance of preserving history. The fountain reminds us that even after loss and damage hope can prevail. The children’s laughter seems to echo through the years a timeless reminder of childhood joy and community action.