Samsonova kašna, Baroque fountain in Přemysl Otakar II Square, Czech Republic.

Samsonova kašna is a baroque fountain on Přemysl Otakar II Square featuring a stone basin roughly 17 meters across. A central statue depicts Samson overpowering a lion while four muscular Atlas figures support the circular stone shell.

The city council decided in 1716 to build a fountain in the square, where a pillory had stood since at least 1391; it was removed in 1719. The Jesuit František Baugut revised the technical design, and the Schwarzenberg builder Pavel Kolečný drew up the final plans. Stonework was done by Zachariáš Horn and sculpture by Josef Dietrich; work ran from 1721 to 1727.

The four Atlas figures at the base showcase the craftsmanship of local sculptors from the 18th century. They reflect the baroque preference for dramatic figures that symbolically bear the weight of the structure.

The fountain sits at the center of the square and works as a natural landmark when exploring the historic district. The area is easy to reach on foot and offers a good place to pause and take in the surroundings at any time of day.

The roughly four-metre stone shell was cut by Zachariáš Horn directly in the quarry on the slope of Mount Kohout near Dobrkovská Lhotka and hauled to town in 1719. The first wagon broke, a new one had to be built, 77 horses were used in relays, fences were cleared and the Svinenská Gate had to be demolished and later rebuilt to let it through.