Stuhlmannbrunnen, Bronze fountain in Altona, Germany
The Stuhlmannbrunnen is a bronze fountain featuring two centaurs engaged in combat with elaborate copper and bronze decorative elements throughout its structure. It stands at Republic Square in Altona and functions as both a water feature and a sculptural artwork within the public space.
Created in 1900 by Berlin sculptor Paul Türpe, the fountain was funded by Günther Ludwig Stuhlmann, founder of Altona's gas and water works. The piece emerged as a symbol of the industrial confidence and importance of this essential infrastructure enterprise.
The fountain depicts two mythological centaurs in combat, representing the historical tension between Hamburg's port business and Altona's fishing industry. Visitors today see this sculptural representation as an artistic expression of rivalry between two competing economic sectors.
The monument is located at Republic Square and has been illuminated at night since 2005, making it visible for evening walks and photography. The site is easily accessible on foot and offers enough space to view the artwork from different angles.
The Holsten brewery funded restoration of the deteriorating fountain in the 1990s in exchange for temporary advertising arrangements at Town Hall. This creative solution allowed a private company to rescue an important public artwork from decay.
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