Märchenbrunnen (Fountain of Fairytales)

View of the Märchenbrunnen in Volkspark Friedrichshain.

The Märchenbrunnen is the largest public fountain from the imperial era and a central attraction of Volkspark Friedrichshain.

Located inside Volkspark Friedrichshain, the Fountain of Fairytales is popular with young and old visitors alike. It is is the largest public fountain from the imperial era. Children especially love the various fairytale figures it depicts. In the summer months, the fountain is a popular meeting place.

The first plans for the construction of a fairytale fountain in Volkspark Friedrichshain existed as early as the 1890s. In 1901, the city architect Ludwig Hoffmann delivered the concept for the fountain that is now located at the western entrance to the Volkspark. Construction was delayed because of financial difficulties as well as problems in obtaining a uniform artistic design, as numerous sculptors were involved in the construction. In 1913, the neo-baroque fountain was finally completed and opened to the public.

Architecture of the Fountain

A nine-fold arcature with lateral arches framed by double pilasters demarcates the fountain square in a semicircle from the park - a costly example of Wilhelminian artistic cultivation. The arched openings contain large stone bowls with fountains, and its balustrades are adorned with 14 animals sculptures by the artist Josef Rauch.

Fairytale Sculptures and Missing Scary Figures

The edge of the large, four-tiered fountain is adorned with various figures from Grimm fairytale, which were designed by Ignaz Taschner in 1912/13. Among the stone sculptures are Hansel and Gretel, Puss in Boots, Hans in Luck, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White with the Seven Dwarfs, and Sleeping Beauty. Some of the "scarier characters" of the popular fairytales, such as Frau Holle, the Man-Eater and the Giant's Daughter, which had been conceived by Georg Wrbas and placed in the side aisles, are missing today.

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