Marvelous isn’t it? This is the Donnerbrunnen. Or as some might call it the Providentiabrunnen. But no one really remembers that long name. It’s much easier to say Donnerbrunnen. After all its creator was the famous sculptor Georg Raphael Donner.
This Baroque fountain sits proudly in the center of Neuer Markt square. It’s a beautiful sight. Yet its location in the middle of a busy square does somewhat detract from its beauty. This is a Baroque masterpiece commissioned by the city of Vienna itself. That’s unusual for a Baroque piece of art. Back then only the Emperor rich nobility or the church could afford such extravagance.
The fountain was unveiled in 1739. It was Emperor Karl VI’s name day. A clever way to win favor with the Emperor I’d say. But the story doesn’t end there. Later Empress Maria Theresia deemed the fountain too immodest for public viewing. She ordered its destruction. Fortunately the sculptor Johann Martin Fischer recognized its value. He renovated it instead. The restored fountain returned to its original location in 1801.
The central figure is Providentia. She represents foresight or destiny. The four figures surrounding her are allegories of the four main rivers of Austria’s heartland. Traun a young man with a trident is catching a fish. Enns an old ferryman rests on a rock symbolizing the river’s importance as an Alpine trade route. Ybbs is a young woman resting with a jug. Finally March a woman rests against a relief showing a battle representing its role as a natural border.
The original lead sculptures deteriorated. In 1873 bronze copies replaced them. You see these copies today. The originals are now at the Belvedere Palace. During the Second World War even the copies were dismantled and stored safely. The Donnerbrunnen reopened in 1947. Before becoming an international movie star it was a popular meeting spot for Vienna’s youth in the 1980s. The Donnerbrunnen featured in the movie Before Sunrise. This brought it international fame. The fountain truly is a testament to Vienna’s rich history. Its resilience through the ages is remarkable. Its beauty captivates. It continues to be a focal point in the heart of the city.