Wednesday 28 December 2011

Missionstrasse 2

Comments: Dated 1862.
More Information
Location: Mission Street, in front of Building 12
Artists / in: no information (restored) 1862/1967: 
In operation since listed: no 
History / Description: The Salt and Pepper fountain, owes its name to its resemblance to an oversized salt and pepper container, was created in 1862 in this place. In addition to two semi-circular side of the fountain pool has a main pool, which is decorated with a Baslerstab. 
Special: Nearby is the imposing Spalentor, which belonged to the city walls of Basel in 1400. At the front gate, there was once a drawbridge that led across a ditch, which is also still available. Unfortunately, the surface of the trench, over which an applied way, in recent decades - have become ever smaller, but a piece has been preserved for posterity - due to road construction.

Spälengraben

Comments: Dated 1847.
More Information
Location: St. Peter's Square / Spalengraben
Artist: Heinrich Rudolf Meili 
In operation since: 1847 (fountain) / 1865 (figure) 
listed: no 
History / Description: From 1676 to 1847 was here a fountain, which was crowned with the war god Mars. 1847 of these wells had to be replaced and an octagonal fountain of limestone was placed at that location. It took eighteen years, was given to the well his new character. It is an archer who has the crossbow down over the left shoulder and wearing a plumed hat on his head. The population sees in himself the hero William Tell. With its size, this is one of the largest fountains in Basel.
Special: 1925 the left hand had to be replaced because they had fallen. Something curious happened in 1943: A worker who has just cleaned the figure, made ​​an awkward movement and coincided with the figure down into the water. The figure could be repaired by Karl Muck ... the fate of the worker could unfortunately not locate ...

Petersplatz

Comments: Dated 1779.
More Information
Location: St. Peter's Square / page Petersgraben Artists / in: no information
In operation since: 1779 
listed building: Yes, since 1915 
History / Description: The fountain is named after the nearby "Zum Grabeneck", which was built in 1767. On the floor fountain is an urn with a bud as a crown. The octagonal fountain basin is one of the largest in the city. The old trees in the square to give the fountain a dignified setting.
Special: At St. Peter's Square takes place regularly on Saturdays, a large flea market. (Except during the Autumn Fair)


Petersgraben

Comments: Building next door is dated 1573.
More Information
Location: Peter Lane 27 (Peter Street in the direction of Peter Church Square)
Artists / in: no information
In operation since: 1873
listed: no 
History / Description: The well has a hexagonal trough, which leans to one side of a wall. From the column stands a fountain spouts water. Prior to 1871 were already at least two other wells at that place. The name of the well received because of the former owner of the nearby properties, the pharmacist Henman Offenburg, who died in 1459
Special: This district is characterized by many ancient houses.

Spielgelgasse

Comments: "Gebändigte Kraft" (Restrained Potential), Willi Hege (1907-1976), Commissioned 1940
More Information
Location: mirror yard / street level (go through a passage)
Artist: Willy Hege
In operation since: 1941 
listed: no 
History / Description: The bronze sculpture shows a dying dragon and knight to remember George. This seems to be already broken new acts. The broken lance the poisonous serpent through the mouth and was also drilled through the neck, has the bold knight left behind. With the motto "Restrained violence," said the artist, the power of evil.
Special features: The first Hauung broke the granite block and had to be replaced by a new one. The granite block weighed before Hauung seven tons.

Blumenrain

Comments: Dated 1873
More Information
Location: Flower Rain, next house 24
Artist: Carl Gutknecht (4 replica of the figure)
In operation since: 1448 (original) / beginning of the 16th Century (first replica of the figure) / 1873 (all wells renewed) / 1911 (figure replaced by a copy) / 1953 (4 replica of the figure)

listed building: Yes, since 1915 

History / Description: Already since 1448 is the St. Urbans-wells in the same place. In 1873 the original due to the bad condition but had to be replaced by a copy. The fountain was on his list of the Vine and Wine welcomes people vividly as the patron saint. It is believed that is the figure of Pope Urban I, who died from 222 to 230 in the holy chair and sat a martyr. That it must be in plastic to a pope must be to recognize the three-piece crown Pope. Pope Urban I. has his own feast day of the middle period of the flowering vines, namely on 25 May By 1830, inexplicably stopped the custom of dressing up the plastic on this festive day, they decorate with flowers in one hand and a glass of white and give the other a glass of red wine. It rained all day not in this wine, it promised a good vintage. In 1911, the second was released into the replica of the Urban History Museum.

St. Johanns-Vorstädt 34/25

More Information
Location: St. John's suburb, next to House 34/25 compared to home
Artist: Otto Roos (Nachhauung) 
in operation since 16 or 17 Century (figure) / 1866 (trough) / 1924 (Nachhauung) 
listed building: Yes, since 1915 

History / Description: It's a big secret, when the 'Lazy maid-figure "was created. It is estimated between 16 and 17 Century. 1727 appears in the files of a "fountain of lazy servant" on. By 1866 the figure was well out of sand stone already on two other wells. In 1924 the figure was reproduced by sculptor Roos, because the original - because of their poor condition - has been given to the Historical Museum. The watering trough is octagonal, and decorated the outside with various patterns. 

Special: Nearby is the St. John Bridge, which connects the district Grossbasel "suburbs" with the district Kleinbasel "Matthew".


St. Johanns-Platz

More Information
Location: St. John's Square / St. John's suburb
Artist: Heinz Fiorese 
In operation since: 1949
listed: no 
History / Description: A bronze statue shows a boy with a long nose, also flows from the water and the other a water-spouting head goose. Both are characters from a fairy tale by Wilhelm Hauff: A boy laughs at the market from a woman because of her big nose. He is therefore by this woman, a herb fairy, transformed and taken to her castle. After a few years he comes - as Dwarf Nose - back home, but nobody can recognize him. He returns to the castle. There he can rescue a princess who has been transformed into a goose, in the frying pan. The goose helps him, therefore, to find a certain little herb, so it can be converted back into "normal state". The goose head should now recall the rescue of the dwarf.


Special: The opposite St. John's Gate was part of the fortifications of 1400.


Totentanz

Entenweidstrasse

St. Johann's Tor

More Information
Location: St. John's Square / Elsässer, Tram stop
Artists / in: no information
In operation since: not available
listed: no 
History / Description: The fountain has an octagonal bowl. The well column, which rises from a water spout in the form of a fish is topped with a plate.
Special: Opposite the fountain is located in the "St. Johanns-Park", which was opened in 1992. In the last two centuries were in this area include a cemetery, a slaughterhouse, and finally settled, the city gardening. After a short walk across the park to reach the Rhine River, which in turn invites you to stay longer.

Müllheimerstrasse

Comment: In the grounds of a school.


Monday 28 November 2011

Klosterberg

More Information
Location: Corner of Steinentorstrasse / Klosterberg
Artists / in: no information 
In operation since: 1758 (Sodbrunnen) / 1845 (running water) / 1901 (end Sodbrunnen) / 1964 (restored) 
listed building: Yes, since 1915 
History / Description: The three-piece fountain is crowned by a dome with a ball. In 1758 the well was put into operation as Sodbrunnen. The roof on four pillars fulfilled two purposes: First, it protected the sod from wind and weather, and secondly it was the bucket elevator device to be mounted solidly. In 1845, the well-Brunn drive attached to the cathedral, and he became the flowing fountain. By means of a stone slab was made ​​in 1901 for health reasons Sod finally sealed. In 1964 the fountain was restored. He was at the capital and at a bar gilding. 
Special: This is the last actual Sodbrunnen Basel. Already in 1869, management report had been made ​​aware that these important wells should be preserved for posterity. Even today, this is the original fountain of 1758, which is a special feature. Because most of the old wells have been submitted to the Historical Museum and replaced by copies. Even today, four lime trees standing at the four corners of the well. The former trees but had to be replaced due to illness in 1900.

Missionstrasse 1

Comments: "Mädchen mit Spiegel" (Girl with Mirror), Karl Gutnecht (1878-1970), Commissioned 1941 (to commemorate the period 1867-1941?)
"Erica's Erotic Shop" is in the background...
More Information
Location: Corner of Mission Street / Hegenheimerstrasse
Artist: Carl Gutknecht
In operation since: 1941
listed: no 
History / Description: The bronze sculpture shows a girl with a mirror. It stands on a column of the fountain, from which rises a gargoyle.
Special: All around it has many small shops.


Saturday 19 November 2011

Kannenfeldpark 2

Comment: Not so much a fountain, but a pond (complete with carp) with a spigot.
Off the beaten path: Yes.

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Aeschenplatz 3

More Information
Location: Aeschenplatz, near tram stop lines 3/14
Artist / in: not available
In operation since: Unspecified
listed: no
History / Description: The fountain has a stone water spout and offers seating on both sides. The wall behind the sconce is decorated with two garlands in similar forms. Due to the deduction of suburban lines 10 and 11 in 2000, the tram station has lost its former task. But he is still in use by the passengers like of lines 3 and 14 as a shelter.
Special: The Hammering Man, a molded steel and aluminum figure stands 13 meters high, in 1989 opposite the tram station.

Elisabethenanlage

More Information
Location: Elizabeth plant / Centralbahnplatz (use the pedestrian crossing to the park)
Artists / in: no information
In operation since: 1865
listed: no 
History / Description: The figure shows a boy who was struggling with great effort against the weight of the goose must. The watering trough is round and decorated the outside shell-shaped.
Special features: The quiet little island to the rolls of the traffic, invites you to linger.

Aeschengraben

More Information
Location: Aeschengraben (plant) / vis-à-vis Basel K.
Artist: Paravicinische Foundry 
In operation since: 1864 
listed: no 
History / Description: The bronze sculpture stands on an oval tray and shows a boy who rides a swan. At the time of its formation the wells was mainly used to water the horse carriage. Because of his immaculate white of the swan plays since antiquity in many cultures as a symbol of light in the mythology of a role.
Special features: There are two other copies of this fountain in Basel (Fountains references: 63/64).
Links in this blog: 63 and 64

Aeschenplatz 2

Comment: "Krähe", 1925, Louis Armand Petersen (1891-1969).
More Information
Location: Aeschengraben / Aesch, Tram stop lines 8/10/11
Artist: HE Linder (idea) / Armand Petersen 
In operation since(character) (restored) 1925/1966
listed: no 
History / Description: The birdbath fountain is twofold: on one hand into the well with trough and pillar, which is crowned with a crow and the other in a bowl with a gargoyle in the middle. It gives the impression that the crow, the little one looks longingly into the world wants, the next moment flying over the birdbath.
Special: In the bushes next to the bowl-shaped fountain is home to a large bird colony that appreciates "their" own bird bath very much. At the well throughout the year is extremely busy.


Aeschenplatz 1

More Information
Location: Aeschengraben / Aesch, Tram stop lines 8/10/11
Artist: HE Linder (idea) / Armand Petersen 
In operation since: (character) (restored) 1925/1966
listed: no
History / Description: The birdbath fountain is twofold: on one hand into the well with trough and pillar, which is crowned with a crow and the other in a bowl with a gargoyle in the middle. It gives the impression that the crow, the little one looks longingly into the world wants, the next moment flying over the birdbath. 
Special: In the bushes next to the bowl-shaped fountain is home to a large bird colony that appreciates "their" own bird bath very much. At the well throughout the year is extremely busy.