Albrechtsbrunnen, Protected cultural fountain in Innere Stadt, Vienna, Austria.
The Albrechtsbrunnen is a wall fountain set against the Augustinerbastei below the Albertina, built 1864–1869. Its basin is Mauthausen granite; the architect was Moritz von Loehr and the white Carrara marble allegories were carved by Johann Meixner. Fluted double columns of Aviano limestone flank the main basin, and the ramp balustrade is Untersberg marble. The central group shows Danubius with his hand on the shoulder of Vindobona.
The work was created in 1869 by Moritz von Loehr and Johann Meixner during Vienna's period of removing medieval fortifications to allow urban growth. This clearing of space enabled the placement of new public artworks in prominent central areas.
The two main figures are Danubius, shown with a wild expression recalling floods and ice jams, and Vindobona, the city, whose shoulder his hand rests on. Ten tributaries once stood in the wall niches, among them Inn, Save, Drau, Theiss, Mur, Salzach, March, Raab, Enns and Traun, carved to display the reach of Austria-Hungary.
The fountain sits directly in front of the Albertina museum and is easily reached on foot from the State Opera House. The location is near several public transit options and shopping areas, making it simple to visit alongside other nearby attractions.
Several original marble statues were lost or relocated during World War II, meaning the current arrangement does not display the original complete composition. This makes it an example of how wartime events altered artworks throughout the city.
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