Listen closely. Imagine the year 1912. A new fountain glistens in Lubeck. This is the Von-Groβheim-Brunnen. It sits proudly on Von-Groβheim-Platz a small park created to honor the recently deceased architect Karl von Groβheim.
Karl von Groβheim a Lubeck native spent his childhood just across the street. The land now occupied by the Von-Groβheim-Brunnen and park was once a pigsty. Yes a pigsty. It served as a pigsty until 1847. Then it lay fallow.
In 1912 the city council decided to transform this humble plot into a beautiful park. Four ancient linden trees already stood there. They became focal points of the new Von-Groβheim-Platz. The jewel of the park however was the Art Nouveau fountain. It’s made of shell limestone. A portrait relief of Groβheim himself sits atop the central basin. Elegant benches flank the sides.
The Von-Groβheim-Platz and its fountain were inaugurated on December 29 1912. The people of Lubeck rejoiced. Sadly the joy was short-lived.
World War II brought devastation. In 1942 the park was destroyed. A concrete basin replaced it. This basin was used for firefighting water. The Von-Groβheim-Brunnen remained but fell silent. Neglect shrouded it. It was covered with wire mesh.
For almost fifty years the fountain lay dormant. Then in 1990 the concrete basin was removed. The park was lovingly restored. The Von-Groβheim-Brunnen received much needed restoration. This cost 23000 Deutsche Marks. The Possehl Foundation generously contributed 15000 Marks. An anonymous local resident donated another 5000 Marks.
On July 30 1991 water once more flowed from the Von-Groβheim-Brunnen. The restored fountain stands as a testament to Lubeck’s resilience. It is a tribute to a beloved son. It’s a reminder of beauty reclaimed. This is more than just a fountain. It’s a symbol of Lubeck’s enduring spirit. It’s a story etched in stone and water a story you’ve now helped unfold.