Augustusbrunnen, Renaissance fountain in Rathausplatz, Augsburg, Germany.
Augustusbrunnen is a Renaissance fountain on Rathausplatz with a central bronze statue of Emperor Augustus surrounded by four river deities representing local waterways. The original sculptures are now kept in the Maximilianmuseum to preserve their historic surfaces.
The fountain was built between 1589 and 1594 under sculptor Hubert Gerhard, who demonstrated his late Renaissance skill in creating the bronze figures. The choice of Emperor Augustus as the central figure reflects Augsburg's importance as a major trading city during the Renaissance.
The four river figures around the fountain represent the waterways that shaped Augsburg's life and trade for centuries. These sculptures show how residents viewed their landscape and water sources as central to who they were.
The fountain sits in the center of Rathausplatz in downtown Augsburg and is easy to reach on foot. Wear shoes with good grip since the square is paved with cobblestones and can be slippery when wet.
The metal grill surrounding the fountain dates from 1564 and was crafted by blacksmith Georg Scheff, nearly three decades before the fountain itself was built. This decorative element is a rare example of metalwork artistry from that period that visitors often overlook.
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