Gänsemädchenbrunnen, water well
The Gänsemädchenbrunnen is a fountain on the Rahlstiege in Vienna's Mariahilf district, created by sculptor Anton Paul Wagner. It features cast stone figures of a girl with a goose standing on a column, with two additional geese with outstretched wings serving as water spouts feeding into small basins.
The fountain was first erected in 1866 at the Geflügelmarkt poultry market, reflecting the area's trading focus. It later stood in front of the Mariahilfer Church before being moved to the Rahlstiege in 1886, where it has remained.
The fountain depicts a scene from Vienna's market life in the 19th century, with a girl figure and geese carved in stone. It brings together everyday moments with public art, showing how the city once valued such simple subjects.
The fountain sits on the upper platform of the Rahlstiege stairs and is easy to reach when moving between the streets of Mariahilf and Gumpendorf. It makes a good stopping point to view the stone figures and enjoy the quieter surroundings of the area.
The fountain was originally located at several different sites in the city before finding its final home on the Rahlstiege. This traveling history shows how Vienna cared for and rearranged its public artworks over decades.
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