Have you ever wished to be a child again? Take a moment and look at the Märchenbrunnen. Imagine the world through the eyes of a child, full of wonder and innocence. Sitting right before us, the Märchenbrunnen, a fairytale fountain, embodies this innocent charm.
This bronze fountain, built in 1905, is a replica of the original made of Blanc-Clair marble. The original fountain was designed by Max Blondat, a renowned French sculptor who achieved remarkable success at the turn of the century.
The Märchenbrunnen was unveiled on November 16, 1905, in the Hofgarten. It depicts three children, huddled together, gazing at three bronze frogs. The frogs are positioned on the fountain’s edge, their mouths spewing delicate jets of water. It’s a scene of playful innocence and joyful discovery.
The bronze replica you see before you stands on the Annasberg, a small hill in the Hofgarten. The hill’s name, “Ananasberg,” meaning pineapple hill, is a testament to the pineapple-shaped house that once stood on the site. Sadly, it was torn down long ago to make way for the Hofgarten.
The Märchenbrunnen was initially protected by an ornate wrought-iron fence to prevent acts of vandalism. Despite the fence, many attempts to damage the fountain occurred until a policeman was assigned to guard the fountain. To this day, the fountain remains a symbol of joy and playful imagination.