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The Six Baroque Fountains of Olomouc

The Six Baroque Fountains of Olomouc

The six baroque fountains that decorate Olomouc’s streets and squares are a constant reminder of the waters that have flowed through the history of the city since its founding.

Olomouc was first settled to guard over an important Morava River ford on the ancient amber route and the fresh water spring on St Michael’s hill is also important to the history of the city. Legend has it that Roman soldiers camped beside the spring for the fresh water and the defensive position on the highest of Olomouc’s three hills.

The stone fountains were built during the late 17th and early 18th centuries and they all consist of several steps leading up to a deep basin, with a statue or sculpture rising from the water. Their original purposes were to supply convenient drinking water, and to decorate the city according to the somewhat theatrical baroque ideas of the time. Many cities removed their fountains when it became possible to pipe water, but the authorities in Olomouc decided to preserve theirs, both for their artistic value and as an emergency reserve, for example, in case of fire.

Five of the fountains represent Roman gods, and the oldest is the Neptune fountain on the lower square. Completed in 1683, the fountain represents the God of Water held aloft by four "sea-horses" (which look remarkably like ordinary land-horses half-submerged in water).

The other fountain on the lower square originally depicted St Florian, protector against fire, but was changed to represent Jupiter, Mightiest of all Gods, soon after nearby Hradisko monastery constructed a fountain representing Saturn, second-highest in the godly hierarchy.

The Hercules fountain on the upper square is another that underwent a major change. It was moved from its original site to make way for the construction of the (now UNESCO-listed) Holy Trinity Column. Hercules holds a chequered eagle (symbol of the city of Olomouc) protectively under one arm while swinging his club to keep a seven-headed monster at bay with the other.

The other fountain on the main square is the only one representing a human; Julius Caesar. Caesar is depicted on horseback, gazing towards the hill where he supposedly camped with his legions. Below are two water-men, symbolizing the Morava and Danube rivers, each holding an urn from which water flows back into the basin. A seated dog at the rear of the statue expresses Olomouc’s loyalty to the Viennese Imperial authorities of the day.

The last two fountains are less conspicuous; the Tritons fountain is on Republic square near the history museum and was inspired by the famous fountain of the same name in Rome. The Mercury fountain is located, appropriately for the god of business and travel, near the Prior department store beside the old main road to Litovel.

The six baroque fountains are graceful and unique works of art individually, and as a group they offer a fascinating insight into the thoughts, beliefs and priorities of the citizens of Olomouc three hundred years ago.

From journal Olomouc: Historic Capital of Forgotten Moravia

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