Cholera fountain
| Cholera fountain | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| place | Dresden , Saxony |
| country |
 Germany
|
| use | Fountain |
| construction time | 1842-1845 |
| architect | Gottfried Semper |
| Architectural style | Neo-Gothic |
| Technical specifications | |
| height | 15.2 m |
| diameter | 6.76 m |
| Floors | 2 |
| Building material | Sandstone , granite |
| Coordinates | |
| location | Coordinates: 51 ° 3'7 " N , 13 ° 44'5" E 51 ° 3'7 " N , 13 ° 44'5" E. |
The cholera fountain (also known as Gutschmid fountain ) is a neo-Gothic fountain . It is in Dresden on Sophienstrasse , between the Zwinger and Taschenbergpalais . It was financed by Baron Eugen von Gutschmid , who wanted to express his thanks for the fact that Dresden had been spared the cholera that threatened the city from the Oder and Lower Elbe rivers in 1841 and 1842 . In addition to Gottfried Semper as the architect, Karl-Moritz Seelig took over the draft, which was ceremoniously handed over to the city on July 15, 1846.
It originally stood in the middle of the Postplatz at the current location of the Käseglocke , but then had to be moved in 1869 because it increasingly represented a traffic obstacle. In this context, the first substantial restoration work was carried out. However, since the material was too fragile, the decision was made to completely rebuild it. The sculptor Franz Schwarz executed this in 1892.
Architectural features
At the special request of his client and contrary to his own ideas, Semper designed the fountain in a neo-Gothic style . In the octagonal basin of the fountain, which is made of granite and has an approximate diameter of 6.76 meters, there is the striking pointed column of the fountain, which is closed off by a large finial . Both the column and the finial are made of sandstone . The building is supported by numerous tall, slender columns and pointed arches ; on its two floors supported by cross vaults it has a total of ten tall, narrow windows. The following approx. 90 cm tall religious figures are attached to the four sides:
- in the north Wittekind , the first baptized prince of the old Saxons
- in the east Winfried Boniface , the first apostle of the Germans
- in the south John the Baptist
- in the west Elisabeth , Landgrave of Thuringia
In addition, stone tablets are attached under the figures, the
- in the north the bible saying "For he commanded his angels over you"
- in the east the bible saying "Whether a thousand will fall on your side and ten thousand on your right, it will not affect you"
- in the south the bible saying "He will save you from the plague that spoils at noon"
- in the west the Gutschmidsche coat of arms
contain.
Detail view of one of the four corner turrets carried by dwarfs, engraved by Franz Schwarz
Detailed view with columns, pointed arches, windows and vaults
Information board at the Taschenbergpalais
overall view
With the self-selected quotations from the Bible from the 91st Psalm ( Lut ) Gutschmid wanted to once again express his gratitude for protecting Dresden from the cholera epidemic. The figures should rather represent a general certificate of faith and gratitude to God and his representatives. Through these figures and quotations and the entire external shape, the cholera fountain, like many neo-Gothic buildings, is strongly reminiscent of a (miniature) church. The numerous decorations, ornaments and animal gifts make it the most ornamented fountain in Dresden.
History of the well
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In 1842 von Gutschmid commissioned the architect Gottfried Semper with the search for the location and approval of the fountain. After some back and forth, the Saxon Ministry of Finance approved Semper's Wilsdruffer Platz, today's Postplatz, as a location. A year later it was finished except for the inscriptions. On July 15, 1846, the fountain was ceremoniously handed over to the then mayor of Dresden, Balthasar Hübler .
The fountain was renewed for the first time in 1869, as wind and weather had meanwhile taken a toll on the sandstone work; In order to prevent willful damage to property, a grid was also installed on the edge of the pool. As early as 1883, however, it was again enormously damaged by weathering . After a detailed investigation and discussion, the Dresden city council finally decided in 1889 to have the fountain completely renewed by the sculptor Franz Schwarz . In 1891 it was moved slightly because it had meanwhile become a traffic obstacle on the Postplatz; in addition, the railing was renewed and moved to the outside in order to better protect the fountain. The move to the current location in Sophienstrasse took place in 1927.
After the cholera fountain was damaged by the air raids on Dresden in 1945 , it was repaired again in 1966 and 1967. In the next few decades, vandalism and weathering hit the fountain so badly that it had to be thoroughly renovated in 1996 and 1997. Many parts could no longer be saved and had to be completely rebuilt. The water system was also completely renewed, so that the fountain can be admired in all its glory again at the beginning of the 21st century.
See also
literature
- The column of thought on the Wilsdrufer Platz in Dresden . In: Illustrirte Zeitung . No. 22 . J. J. Weber, Leipzig November 25, 1843, p. 345 ( books.google.de ).
- Jochen Hänsch: Dresden fountain . Saxonia Verlag for Economics, Politics and Culture GmbH, Dresden 1998, ISBN 3-9806374-1-7
- Eberhard Engel, Jochen Hänsch: Gottfried Semper's cholera fountain in Dresden . K&L Saxons. Advertising agency, Dresden 1996.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Dresdner Nachrichten . January 2, 1892, p. 2 ( slub-dresden.de ).
- ↑ The pillar on the Wilsdrufer place in Dresden . In: Illustrirte Zeitung . No. 22 . J. J. Weber, Leipzig November 25, 1843, p. 345 ( books.google.de ).
- ^ Dresdner Nachrichten - The Wandering Monument . September 11, 1927, p. 5 f . ( slub-dresden.de ).