Narziss-Brunnen

Hidden within the serene Prinzenhof of Schloss Cecilienhof sits the Narziss-Brunnen. This isn’t just any fountain. It tells the tale of Narcissus, a figure from Greek mythology. The bronze sculpture depicts the youth gazing at his own reflection. The Narziss-Brunnen in Potsdam has a fascinating history, intertwined with a near-identical twin. The sculptor, Hubert Netzer, first created this piece in 1896. It was displayed at the Munich International Art Exhibition. The city of Munich purchased this first version. It’s still there today, gracing the Bavarian National Museum. Netzer then cast a second version of the Narziss-Brunnen. He presented it at the Berlin Art Exhibition in 1903. This time, the German imperial family acquired the sculpture. They placed it in Empress Auguste Viktoria’s rose garden near the Neues Palais in Sanssouci Park. After World War I, the rose garden fell into disrepair. By 1976, the garden had faded. The decision was made to relocate the Narziss-Brunnen. It found a new home in the tranquil Prinzenhof of Schloss Cecilienhof. Here, Narcissus continues his contemplation, seemingly oblivious to his change of scenery. He remains engrossed in his own image, a timeless representation of self-love.