Kindlifresser Fountain
A giant devouring children, right in the middle of Bern's Old Town. He has stood on Kornhausplatz for almost 500 years, and to this day nobody knows for sure what he is meant to be.
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- Artist
- Hans Gieng
- Year
- 1545
- Material
- Limestone, painted
- Location
- Kornhausplatz
- Access
- Free, around the clock
The Kindlifresser Fountain (Kindlifresserbrunnen, “child eater fountain”) is one of the figure fountains that were set up in Bern's Old Town in the 16th century. The figure is by the sculptor Hans Gieng. It shows a large man devouring a child. More children are stuck in his sack.
What does the figure mean?
There is no inscription or document that explains its meaning. The interpretations range from the Greek god Kronos, who ate his children, to a bogeyman meant to keep children away from the water.
Good to know
The fountain stands in the middle of Kornhausplatz, a few steps from the Zytglogge.
Nearby
Historical frieze30 mWall relief40 mVulnerability60 mThe Beginning of Time (or Expulsion from Paradise)60 mAdd a photo
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More sights in Bern
The figure fountains of the Old TownFountains and monumentsGerechtigkeitsbrunnen: Justitia with her eyes coveredFountains and monumentsZähringerbrunnen: the bear in armourFountains and monumentsMoses Fountain on MünsterplatzFountains and monumentsAnna-Seiler-Brunnen in front of the KäfigturmFountains and monumentsRyfflibrunnen: the marksman with the little bearFountains and monumentsAlso worth reading
The street is our galleryArtData: Kultur Stadt Bern (open data “Kunst im öffentlichen Raum”), © OpenStreetMap contributors. Text: Richard Červenka, Bärn Kit. Found a mistake? Write to hallo@uebrig.ch.