Year of construction:
1584-1589
Design:
Benedikt Wurzelbauer
Implementation:
Benedikt Wurzelbauer
Location:
Depiction:
Seven human figures and six cherubs adorn the bronze fountain column, which is divided into three levels and rises from an octagonal basin.
The seven figures represent the seven virtues of the Middle Ages, with six cherubs between them.
On the top platform stands Justice with her symbols: a crane (symbol of vigilance), blindfold, scales, and sword.
In the center, six cherubs, rather worldly and carnal angel figures, blow a thin stream of water from their trumpets. They hold the coat of arms of Nuremberg.
Fine jets of water from the vessels of the allegories and from the breasts of the virginal figures create a curtain around the entire fountain.
Below the cherubs are six cardinal virtues, three Christian (theological) and three pagan:
Faith (cross and chalices), love (two children), hope (anchor) and generosity (lion), temperance (jug and bowl) and patience (lamb).
In contrast to the Beautiful Fountain, the Fountain of Virtue reflects a "modern" worldview rather than a medieval one, a harmonious combination of valuable pagan and Christian traditions.
Faith and pagan wisdom ultimately have the same great goal: the "good" person.
History:
The construction of the Fountain of Virtues was commissioned by the City Council of Nuremberg.
It is made of bronze and sandstone.
The Tugendbrunnen fountain marks the boundary between Lorenzer Platz and Königsstraße.
Originally, the Tugendbrunnen fountain was surrounded by two free-standing fountain houses, which made it easier to draw water for domestic use.
A specially constructed water pipe made of wood and lead pipes was necessary to supply the Tugendbrunnen fountain with water.
Reference:
Herbert Maas, Nürnberg - Geschichte und Geschichten, Verlag Albert Hofmann, Nürnberg, 1976
Stadtlexikon Nürnberg, herausgegeben von Michael Diefenbacher und Rudolf Endres, W. Tümmels Verlag, Nürnberg, 2000.
Nürnberg, Kaiserburg - Altstadt - Kirchen - Museen, Stadtführer, Edm. von König-Verlag (Heidelberg/ Diehlheim)
Berühmte Nürnberger aus neun Jahrhunderten, Herausgeber Christoph von Imhoff, Verlag Albert Hofmann, Nürnberg, 1984