Rating: 7,8/10 (300 votes) Olomouc baroque fountains are the pride of the city today. During the Middle Ages, fountains functioned as urban water supply. After a while, water pipes began to appear in the cities, in connection with which most of the fountains were liquidated. However, in Olomouc it was decided to keep the fountains as additional reservoirs in case of fires. The fountains were made by renowned Czech craftsmen. Fragments of Roman mythology were used in the sculptures that adorn the fountains. The Hercules Fountain, located in front of the northern facade of the City Hall, was created by sculptor Michael Mandek in 1687. The fountain was originally located on the Upper Square, it was soon moved to its current location. In the central part of the fountain there is a sculpture of Hercules, in whose left hand is an eagle – the symbol of the city. In the other hand of the mythological hero is a club, with which he protects the eagle from the seven-headed hydra. Today the Hercules Fountain is a fine example of the sculptural art of Moravia. The Mercury Fountain located on May 8th Street was created by Philip Sattler in 1727. The sculpture of Mercury, from an artistic point of view, is the most successful of the whole complex of baroque Olomouc fountains. The sculpture was made in the form of Mercury with a gilded staff in hand. Neptune Fountain is an amazing piece of architectural skill. The history of the creation of the fountain is directly related to Caesar, who once stopped on Mikhailovsky Hill. Subsequently, local residents in memory of this event decided to build six Baroque fountains in the city, depicting characters of ancient culture. The Neptune Fountain was their first piece of architecture. In 1683, the fountain was installed on the Lower Square by sculptors Vaclav Render and Michael Mandik. The sculpture was made in the form of a god towering above the water, from where sea horses emerge. Neptune has a trident in his hands. The Tritona Fountain, located in Republic Square, presents one of the best works of the famous sculptor Render. The fountain was built in 1709. Initially, the fountain was located at the intersection of Lostyannaya, Pekarnaya, Ezhevichnaya and Denisova streets. In 1890, the fountain was moved to the Revolution Square. The sculpture is made in the form of two Tritons, carrying a huge stone shell on their mighty shoulders, from which protrudes the figure of a child holding water dogs on a chain. Jupiter Fountain, located on the Lower Square, was the latest among the Olomouc fountains. The construction of the fountain was carried out in 1707 by the sculptor Philip Sattler. The sculpture was made in the form of a god holding lightning in his hands, an eagle at his feet and lion heads on both sides. Caesar Fountain, located on the Upper Square, was built in 1725 by Vaclav Render and Jiri Schauberger. From an artistic point of view, the Caesar fountain is the most complex of all the city's fountains. The sculpture was made in the form of an equestrian rider on a rock, at whose feet two figures, symbolizing the Danube and Morava rivers, were crouched. We also recommend reading Premysl Palace in the Czech Republic, resort Olomouc Topic: Olomouc fountains in the Czech Republic, Olomouc spa. |