Karlsbrunnen, Medieval fountain in Market Square, Aachen, Germany
The Karlsbrunnen is a bronze fountain on the Market Square in Aachen, standing directly in front of the Town Hall. It consists of a large round basin mounted on a columned base, topped with a statue of Charlemagne at the center.
A fountain structure first stood on this spot in 1334, and the large bronze basin was added in 1620. The figure of Charlemagne crowning the monument was made in 1735 and has shaped its appearance ever since.
Locals call the large bronze basin the Eäzekomp, a word in the regional dialect that means pea bowl. This nickname shows how naturally the monument fits into daily life, treated less as a grand symbol and more as a familiar part of the square.
The fountain stands in the middle of Aachen's Market Square and is easy to reach from any direction on foot. It is freely accessible at any time and works well as a starting point for exploring the surrounding historic center.
The original 18th-century statue of Charlemagne no longer stands on the fountain but is now kept in the Centre Charlemagne museum in Aachen. Most visitors see a replica without realizing the figure above them is not the one made in 1735.
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