Fontaine du mariage, Protected baroque fountain in Innere Stadt, Austria
The Vermählungsbrunnen is a stone fountain in Innere Stadt featuring detailed sculptural relief work depicting marriage and family themes. Water flows from multiple spouts distributed across the fountain structure in the central square.
The monument stems from a vow made by Emperor Leopold I in 1702 during the siege of Landau. Under Joseph I, a wooden column by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach was erected on the Hoher Markt on 19 March 1706. After it decayed, Charles VI had it removed in 1725; the foundation stone of the marble replacement by Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach was laid on 14 August 1729 and it was consecrated on 14 April 1732.
The fountain displays scenes of the marriage between Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary, reflecting the religious importance of 18th century Vienna. These depictions served as a visual expression of faith in the public space for local residents.
The fountain is located centrally and easily reached on foot from the Stephansplatz and Herrengasse subway stations. The best time to visit is during daytime hours when the plaza is well lit and the sculptural details are clearly visible.
The bronze canopy above the columns is modelled on a chuppa, the Jewish wedding canopy, and was cast by the bell founder Johann Baptist Divall. The two round basins with jets were designed by Lorenzo Mattielli. Bomb damage in 1944 destroyed the head of the Virgin Mary statue, which the sculptor Wander Bertoni restored during the 1950–1955 renovation.
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