Kolinbrunnen, fountain in the city of Zug, Switzerland
The Kolinbrunnen is a Renaissance fountain on Linden Square in Zug featuring an octagonal stone basin with a tall column rising from its center. A statue of a banner-bearer holding a shield and standard crowns the column, with the year 1541 engraved into the stone.
The square, originally called Lindenplatz, received a fountain in 1541 after the city council decided in 1540 to build one; the octagonal trough and the column bearing the year 1541 date from this campaign. A full renovation followed in 1747, the column was renewed in 1891, and the statue was restored and repainted several times. The last renovation took place in 1981.
The fountain's name recalls Wolfgang Kolin, who in the 16th century built the neighbouring inn bearing the sign of the ox, which closes the square to the east; hence the alternative name Ochsenbrunnen. The banner-bearer on the column holds the shield and standard of Zug, though his identification long prompted differing interpretations.
The fountain stands freely accessible on Linden Square in the heart of Zug's old town and can be visited at any time. It is easily reached on foot and serves as a natural stopping point when walking through the historic streets lined with shops and cafes.
The banner-bearer's identity was long debated; he is now generally taken to be Wolfgang Kolin, builder of the neighbouring Ochsen inn in the 16th century, which gave the fountain its second name, Ochsenbrunnen. The column shaft carries carved heads and figures below a gold capital.
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