Marktbrunnen, Medieval fountain in Goslar, Germany.
The Marktbrunnen is a two-tiered bronze fountain in the center of Goslar's market square, with basins stacked vertically and connected by a central column topped with a gilded imperial eagle. The structure combines Romanesque and later medieval elements into a single monument that dominates the square's center.
The lower basin dates to the 12th century and is one of Germany's largest Romanesque bronze castings, marking an early technical achievement in metalwork. The upper basin was created between 1200 and 1230 as a separate fountain before being joined with the older bowl to form the current monument in its final configuration.
Four dragon heads with donkey-like ears decorate the fountain, and two of them appear to swallow small human figures - details that reveal medieval ideas about mythical creatures. These grotesque forms were meant to fascinate and perhaps unsettle people passing through the market square.
The fountain sits in the middle of the market square and is easy to reach on foot from any direction in the old town center. It draws crowds during the day, so visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon offers a better chance to view it without many people around.
The combination of elements from different periods - a 12th-century Romanesque basin joined with later medieval additions - shows how medieval artworks were modified and expanded over generations. Most visitors overlook that this monument is not a single unified work but rather the result of multiple transformations that span centuries of development.
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