Macht zur See, Monumental fountain at Michaelertrakt of Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria
Macht zur See is a monumental fountain at the Michaelertrakt of Hofburg Palace in Vienna, featuring a central figure of Austria standing on a ship's bow with Neptune and maritime creatures in red granite and marble. The fountain has a symmetrical design that forms a balanced visual frame with its companion piece Macht zu Lande at the Michaelerplatz entrance.
This fountain was created in 1893 by sculptor Rudolf Weyr during a period when Austria sought to emphasize its maritime connections and great power status. The work reflects the late imperial era's interest in celebrating the nation's economic ties to the sea.
The Neptune figure in this fountain composition is said to depict Friedrich Uhl, who was the editor-in-chief of Wiener Zeitung at the time. This connection between the artwork and a contemporary public figure shaped how the city understood the monument's meaning.
The fountain is located at a central plaza and is easy to spot when approaching Michaelerplatz. The best vantage point for viewing is directly in front of the palace entrance, where you can take in all the details and how it pairs with the opposite fountain.
The fountain combines materials from several European sources: red granite from Sweden for the basin, marble from Italy, and local conglomerate stone for the rock formations. This international mix of stone reflects the cosmopolitan self-image that the Austrian monarchy wanted to project during its height of power.
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