Do you see the statue of Lady Justice atop the fountain? This is the Römerbrunnen. It stands proudly on the Römerberg in Frankfurt. The Römerbrunnen is more than just a pretty fountain. It is a symbol of Frankfurt’s history and resilience.
Frankfurt’s government has been here since the 15th century. The Römerbrunnen area has been a central point for centuries. Markets, fairs, and even imperial elections happened here. Executions too. The square was once considered the most beautiful in the Holy Roman Empire.
The first fountain on this spot was built in the 16th century. That fountain also had a statue of Justice. She had unbound eyes, scales, and a sword. A few steps away, a plaque commemorates the book burning by the National Socialists in 1933.
The current Römerbrunnen is not the original. It is a copy from 1887. A wine merchant named Gustav D. Manskopf funded it. The fountain is under historical protection.
Earlier, simpler wells existed in Frankfurt’s Old Town. These were easy to build because of the high water table. The first mention of these wells was in 1259.
A chronicler spoke of a pipe leading to a fountain near the Old Nikolai Church in 1453. But this account was disproven. In 1541, construction began on a fountain in the center of Römerberg. By 1543, the first fountain was complete. The city’s master builder, Benedikt Löscher, worked on it.
In 1594, the fountain needed renovation. A statue of Samson was added. He was depicted tearing open a lion’s mouth. The new pipes froze in winter. So they were soon replaced with wooden ones.
In the early 17th century, the Renaissance style became popular. In 1611, the fountain was thoroughly renewed. A stone pillar replaced the wooden pipe. Siren statues and virtue reliefs were added. The Justice figure was placed on top. Sculptor Johann Hocheisen and painter Philipp Uffenbach worked on it.
The Römerbrunnen got its water from sources far away. The sources were located in the Bornheim area. The water flowed through pipes to the city. In 1543, gardeners complained that the new fountain was using all the water. So another pipe was built.
The Römerbrunnen played a role in imperial coronations. In 1562, it served as a wine fountain for Maximilian II’s coronation. The wine flowed for the emperor and the people.
During the coronation of Emperor Matthias in 1612, chaos ensued. People climbed on the fountain to get wine. They broke the decorations and pipes. Later emperors had a separate wine fountain built on Samstagsberg.
The Römerbrunnen was renovated in 1652. In 1770, the wooden pipes were replaced with cast iron. By the 19th century, the fountain was deteriorating. In 1863, the Justice statue was hidden with flowers for a festival.
In 1874, the statue and pillar were removed. In 1887, Gustav D. Manskopf funded a complete renewal. The new Justice figure and decorations were made of bronze. The trough and base were made of red sandstone.
During the air raids of 1944, the surrounding area was destroyed. But the Römerbrunnen was almost undamaged. After the war, American soldiers displayed the Justice statue. It symbolized justice and law.
In the 1970s, the fountain was moved for subway construction. Workers found the wooden foundation. The trees were cut in 1542. The Römerbrunnen was last renovated in 2007. The Justice statue was restored from 2017 to 2018.
The Römerbrunnen stands in the middle of Römerberg. It has an octagonal trough made of red sandstone. The bronze pillar features virtues like Justice, Temperance, Hope, and Charity.
The inscription around the top reads: “Justice, greatest of all virtues, freely gives to each what is his own.” The statue of Justice is not blindfolded. This is unlike many other depictions.
The Römerbrunnen is a symbol of Frankfurt’s history and values. It has seen markets, coronations, destruction, and renewal. The Römerbrunnen remains a testament to the city’s enduring spirit.