Märchenbrunnen

Emerging from the earth, the Märchenbrunnen whispers tales of nymphs and forgotten dreams. The Märchenbrunnen, also known as the Schauspielhausbrunnen, isn’t just a fountain. It’s a living testament to Frankfurt’s vibrant history and artistic spirit. Nestled beside the Städtische Bühnen Frankfurt, this Art Nouveau masterpiece casts a spell on all who approach. Commissioned in 1910 by art patron Leo Gans, the Märchenbrunnen was a gift to the city, a splash of magic in the bustling urban landscape. Imagine the sculptor, Friedrich Christoph Hausmann, meticulously shaping the white Tyrolean marble into the form of a nymph. This “Mainweibchen,” as locals affectionately call her, was modeled after a real person. Margarete Endres, a young laundress, unknowingly became immortalized in stone. The Märchenbrunnen’s creation took four years, delayed partly due to the construction of the nearby Bismarckdenkmal. Finally, in August 1910, the fountain was unveiled. Small bronze figures of mythical creatures, fish, and lizards frolicked at the nymph’s feet, spouting water in a playful dance. Tragically, these bronze figures were melted down during World War II. For decades, the Märchenbrunnen stood incomplete, a silent reminder of loss. Then, a surprising twist. In 2005, North Korean artists recreated the lost figures, breathing new life into the fountain. This collaboration, spurred by the Frankfurt Book Fair, sparked controversy but ultimately restored the Märchenbrunnen to its former glory. The Märchenbrunnen even faced a temporary relocation for an underground car park. Yet, like a phoenix from the ashes, it returned to its rightful place in the Untermainanlage in 2006. Today, the Märchenbrunnen stands complete, a symbol of Frankfurt’s resilience. It continues to enchant, its waters whispering tales of art, history, and a touch of magic. The Märchenbrunnen invites you to pause, to listen to the stories etched in its stone and bronze.