Zähringerbrunnen, Renaissance fountain in Kramgasse, Bern, Switzerland
The Zähringer Fountain is a Renaissance structure on Kramgasse featuring a central armored bear holding a shield and banner with the golden Zähringen lion on a red background. It functions as a drinking water source while serving as a landmark that helps orient visitors moving through the city center.
Hans Hiltprand created the fountain in 1535 to honor Berchtold von Zähringer, the founder of Bern. It underwent major renovation in 1889 when the basin received a new design, but the core concept remained unchanged.
The armored bear with shield and banner represents both Bern's symbol and the legacy of the Zähringen dynasty through heraldic imagery. This combination of military and dynastic symbols shapes how people relate to the space today.
The fountain sits directly on Kramgasse and is easy to locate while walking along the main shopping street. The water is drinkable and the spot serves naturally as a gathering place to pause or get your bearings.
A small bear cub eating grapes appears on the basin, a playful detail many visitors overlook. This charming element gives the otherwise formal monument an unexpected touch of humor and liveliness.
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