Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen: Justitia with her eyes covered

The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen is one of the figure fountains that Bern put up around the middle of the 16th century. The figure was made by the sculptor Hans Gieng in 1543. The eight-sided basin is made of limestone, and above it rises a richly decorated, painted column.

Who lies at her feet?

Below Justitia are four smaller figures: a pope, an emperor, a sultan and a Schultheiss, the title of the head of the city of Bern at the time. They stand for four ways of ruling, from the Church to the republic. Their eyes are closed. The meaning: Justice stands above every power on earth.

Why the blindfold?

The blindfold shows that Justitia judges without looking at who stands before her. When the fountain was made, this was still new. Later, the blindfold became the familiar sign of justice and of equality before the law.

Toppled in 1986

In 1798 the scales and sword disappeared, and new ones only arrived in 1845. In the night to 13 October 1986, the statue was pulled off its pedestal with a rope and broke in the fall. The act was attributed to Jura separatists. The original went to the Bern Historical Museum. Since 1988 a copy has stood on the fountain; it was renovated in 2018.

Good to know

The fountain is in the lower Old Town, in Gerechtigkeitsgasse, on the way to the Nydeggbrücke bridge. Take a close look at the faces of the four rulers. The fountain gives drinking water.