Listen closely. Picture two mischievous boys. They’re made of stone. They stand guard over the Fischerbrunnen. This isn’t just any fountain. This is the heart of Würzburg’s Fischmarkt.
The Fischerbrunnen. It’s a testament to history and craftsmanship. Originally there was a simple well here. A humble water source for the bustling fish market. Around 1770 Daniel Köhler transformed it. He created the elegant pillar fountain we see today. A pump was added a practical marvel for its time.
The Fischerbrunnen survived World War II. Amazingly it was moved only a few meters during the rebuilding. This wasn’t easy. The work required skill and care. Many hands were involved in its preservation.
Throughout the 20th century the Fischerbrunnen was repeatedly restored. Still damage lingered. So a fundraising campaign began. Thirty thousand euros were raised. This shows how much people cared for this fountain. Countless small donations helped. The Lions Club Würzburg-West generously supported the project too. Würzburg historian Werner Giesebrecht also played a crucial role. The restoration took three months.
Notice the details. Two playful fishermen boys stand atop a large pedestal. They are carved from Schilfsandstein a type of sandstone. The pedestal itself is a masterpiece of Rococo decoration. Look closely. You’ll see two lion heads. There is shell work intricate ornaments too. These details suggest a connection to Prince-Bishop Friedrich Karl von Schönborn. He ruled from 1729 to 1746. The Schönborn family’s heraldic lion was often used in sculptures. The lion heads might indicate the fountain’s creation during his reign.
The wooden paneling at the base? That was added by Ossi Müller in 1963. The Fischerbrunnen is more than just a beautiful landmark. It is a living piece of Würzburg’s past. The Frankenbund’s Würzburg group now sponsors the fountain’s upkeep. It costs around 2000 euros annually.
And here’s something you may not know. The Fischerbrunnen now offers drinking water. It’s been operational as a drinking fountain since August 2024. This is a welcome addition to the city’s water refill stations. It provides refreshing clean water during hot summer months. The water is regularly tested. It’s completely safe to drink. The city promotes health and environmental sustainability by reducing plastic bottle waste. You can find other drinking fountains on Würzburg’s Geostadtplan.