Schicksalsbrunnen

The Schicksalsbrunnen is an Art Nouveau marble fountain in Stuttgart-Mitte featuring a central goddess of fate with outstretched arms. Sculptures of couples are positioned around the basin, each representing different human states and circumstances.

Karl August Donndorf created this fountain in 1914 as a memorial to the German-Swiss opera singer Anna Sutter. She had died tragically in 1910 and is honored through this artwork.

The inscriptions on the surrounding wall reflect on fate's unpredictable nature, showing how people may be strong today but weakened tomorrow. The couples positioned around the basin embody different human states and emotions when facing life's challenges.

The fountain is located between the opera house and theater in Upper Castle Garden and is easy to reach on foot from downtown. Plan your visit from May to September when the fountain operates and the garden setting is most inviting.

The goddess holds closed hands symbolizing hidden and unknown destinies, while the couples at each end show extreme human experiences. This contrast between concealed and visible elements makes the fountain a thoughtful artwork about the limits of human knowledge.

Location: Stuttgart-Mitte

Inception: January 1, 1914

Creator: Karl August Donndorf

Architectural style: Art Nouveau architecture

Made from material: marble

Part of: Schlossgarten Stuttgart

Website: https://stuttgart.de/vv/adresse/schicksalsbrunnen.php

GPS coordinates: 48.78030,9.18422

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:21