Have you ever felt the spray of a fountain on your face? Right here at the Neptunbassin in Potsdam you can. This isn’t just any fountain. This is a story etched in sandstone and steel a testament to resilience and artistry. The Neptunbassin a Baroque masterpiece originally built between 1746 and 1751 was commissioned by Frederick the Great. He envisioned a spectacle worthy of Versailles. Its design was inspired by the Apollobassin in the Palace of Versailles. Johann August Nahl the Elder sculpted the original Neptune’s Triumph group. Johann Peter Benkert and Johann Gottlieb Heym assisted in its creation.
The Neptunbassin depicted Neptune and Amphitrite in a chariot pulled by seahorses. Tritons and Nereids surrounded them creating a lively scene. Sadly World War II and the subsequent years under the GDR regime caused its near-total destruction. The basin was filled in. The statues were mostly destroyed. Potsdamer citizens however secretly saved some fragments. They risked punishment to preserve pieces of their history.
The Neptunbassin’s resurrection began in 2001. The basin was unearthed for the National Garden Show. Then a remarkable effort to recover the Neptune group commenced. Individual sculptures were found in private gardens. The Rotary Club Potsdam played a vital role. They raised funds and located pieces. The Neptunbassin is more than just a pretty sight. It’s a symbol of community collaboration. It’s proof that even fragmented history can be reconstructed.
Today you see a combination of restored originals and contemporary reinterpretations. Steel sculptures replace some of the missing parts. They beautifully complement the existing sandstone. The steel elements are modern yet echo the forms of the originals. A clever interactive light and water display enhances the experience. Toss a coin into the mechanism near the Neptunbassin. You will activate the captivating display of light and water. It dramatically illuminates the historical sculptures. It highlights the modern artistic response to the loss. The Neptunbassin stands as a powerful reminder. It shows the enduring strength of both art and human spirit. It represents the beauty that emerges from even the most devastating destruction.