Consider the year 1820. The Postplatzbrunnen stands before you. This fountain is not just a source of water, but a testament to Stuttgart’s history.
The Postplatzbrunnen was designed by Nikolaus Friedrich von Thouret. It stands at the corner of Alte Poststraße, Rotebühlplatz, and Calwer Straße. Thouret’s creation was erected in 1820.
Look closely at the fountain’s design. The fountain features a polygonal trough made of cast iron. A granite column rises from the center. One side shows the head of King Wilhelm I above the year MDCCCXX. The opposite side displays a relief of a mare, part of Stuttgart’s coat of arms. A pine cone adorns the top of the column.
Four fish or dolphin figures surround the base. Water flows from their mouths. This water is ordinary tap water. The Postplatzbrunnen operates roughly from May to September.
The Postplatzbrunnen stands near where the Alte Postplatz used to be. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, this square bustled with activity. Mail coaches arrived here. Travelers disembarked. It was a hotspot for news in Stuttgart.
Around the Alte Postplatz, guesthouses thrived. The Hotel de Russie, or Russian Court, was a favorite. Russian guests visiting their royal relatives in Stuttgart stayed there. It stood next to the main post office. Today, the Rotebühlplatz and the Volkshochschule Stuttgart occupy this space. But the Postplatzbrunnen remains as a reminder of a time gone by.
Notice the fountain’s details. The water spouts. Wilhelm I’s portrait. The mare with her foal. These elements tell a story. They connect us to Stuttgart’s past.
The Postplatzbrunnen offers more than just water. It offers a connection to history. It reminds us of Stuttgart’s rich heritage.