Karl-Borromäus-Brunnen

“A gift for a mayor?” I overheard a fellow traveler ask, gazing at the Karl-Borromäus-Brunnen. “Indeed,” I chimed in. “A rather grand one at that.” The Karl-Borromäus-Brunnen, a striking marble and bronze creation, sits slightly below street level, lending an intimate feel to the Karl-Borromäus-Platz. It was a gift from the Landstraße district to Karl Lueger, Vienna’s mayor, in recognition of his service. The fountain’s namesake, Saint Charles Borromeo, was the 17th-century archbishop of Milan and, coincidentally, Lueger’s patron saint. The fountain’s story began in 1904, the year of Lueger’s 60th birthday, with the commission going to sculptor Josef Engelhart, a co-founder of the Vienna Secession. The cornerstone was laid on Lueger’s birthday, October 24th, 1904. The unveiling, however, took place a few years later, on May 25th, 1909. Engelhart, facing design challenges due to the limited space, enlisted the help of architect Jože Plečnik, a student of Otto Wagner. The result is a fascinating blend of sculpture and architecture. Three groups of five bronze putti support water basins decorated with reliefs of tendrils, newts, and fish that also function as gargoyles. These basins connect three allegorical figure groups: “Saint Charles Borromeo healing the sick”, “Lift up your hearts”, and “Above all love,” which depicts the plague in Milan. A triangular marble obelisk rises above them, providing a backdrop. The Karl-Borromäus-Brunnen wasn’t without controversy. Shortly after its unveiling, a priest named Alfred Hoppe launched a campaign against the naked putti, demanding they be clothed or removed. He even collected signatures and reported the priest who had blessed the fountain to the archbishop! The Karl-Borromäus-Brunnen survived the war but suffered damage, requiring restoration in 1949. Today, it stands as a testament to Vienna’s rich history and artistic spirit.