Behold the Georgsbrunnen a testament to Augsburg’s rich history. This isn’t just any fountain. It’s a story etched in bronze and marble.
The Georgsbrunnen stands proudly before the Stadtmetzg the former butcher’s guildhall. Now the Social Welfare Office occupies the building. The International Cultural Centre Kresslesmühle sits nearby. This location is significant because it marks the fountain’s final resting place after a long journey.
Our bronze Saint George wasn’t always here. He was cast in 1565 by the Augsburg city founder Veit Dietsch. His initials and the year are still visible on the base. Initially Saint George adorned the Herrenstube opposite the town hall. Imagine him there a silent observer of Augsburg’s bustling life. But times changed. With the building’s demolition in the early 19th century Saint George was moved to a sturdy pillar with four semi-circular basins. He stood there at the lower end of Perlachberg opposite the Stadtmetzg from 1833 to 1957.
Then came another relocation. In 1961 the city moved him to a tall column before St Jacob’s Church in the Jakobervorstadt. This was partly due to the construction of a new east-west traffic axis through the city centre. The then mayor Ludwig Wegele championed the move. He sought to enhance the delicate figure’s presence in the wide city space. A new oval basin with a water feature was added beneath Saint George.
But the journey wasn’t over. Years of air pollution caused damage to Saint George. After careful restoration he returned to his current location in 1993. He stands as a symbol of Augsburg’s resilience and enduring spirit. He reminds us that even in change there is continuity. The Georgsbrunnen is more than just a fountain. It is a time capsule a living piece of Augsburgs story.