Listen closely. The Springbrunnen am Alaunplatz whispers stories of Dresden’s past. This isn’t just any fountain. It’s a silent witness to centuries of change.
The Springbrunnen am Alaunplatz sits at the heart of the Alaunplatz a large green space in Dresden’s Äußere Neustadt district. For centuries this area was quite different. It was once a vast vineyard a testament to a more rural Dresden. The Thirty Years’ War ravaged the land leaving behind a treeless wasteland.
Napoleon himself used the area. He used it as an exercise ground for his troops in 1813. The place became a military parade ground. Can you picture the soldiers marching across this very spot? A grimmer side existed too. Near the woods a place of execution stood. The last beheading there was in 1852. It involved a woman convicted of infanticide.
The name Alaunplatz is linked to a unique industry. In 1765 an alum works was established here. The Danish nobleman Baron von Gartenberg a favorite of Count Brühl was behind this enterprise. The alum works gave its name to the street and eventually the entire square.
A barracks followed the alum works. Built in 1870 it housed the 108th Royal Saxon Rifle Regiment. It stood until 1945 when it was destroyed in the war. The Springbrunnen am Alaunplatz survived. It’s a reminder of a past military presence.
Later the square was renamed Platz der Thälmannpioniere during the DDR era. In 1990 it received its original name back. The Springbrunnen am Alaunplatz witnessed all these changes. It has quietly watched the transformation of the area from a military parade ground to a beloved park.
The fountain itself is part of a bigger story. It was likely built around 1870 alongside the Schützenkaserne. It fell into disrepair after World War II. However in 2011 it was lovingly restored. The restoration was a major undertaking. The basin was replaced. Broken parts were meticulously repaired. New technology ensures the water flows continuously. Thanks to the efforts of the “Wohnen am Alaunpark” project and generous donations the fountain was brought back to life.
The Springbrunnen am Alaunplatz is much more than simply a pretty fountain. It is a symbol of resilience a marker of Dresden’s history. It is a reminder that even amidst conflict and change some things endure. Take a moment. Let the water’s gentle flow and its long history wash over you.