Indianerbrunnen

The Indianerbrunnen on Werderplatz in Karlsruhe's Südstadt district is a water fountain from the 1920s with a distinctive double-sided stone sculpture at its center. The artwork displays two different carved faces in travertine, each showing a different subject in facing directions.

The fountain was created during the 1920s through a collaboration between architect Friedrich Beichel and sculptor August Meyerhuber. Its creation marked a period when such artistic projects sometimes faced public resistance before becoming accepted parts of city life.

The face carved into the stone reflects an artistic interest in distant cultures that was common in early 20th-century Europe. This representation continues to shape how people experience the square and often prompts conversation about how history was once viewed.

The fountain sits in the center of Werderplatz and is easily accessible on foot from surrounding streets. Public amenities are located nearby, making it a convenient stop when exploring the Südstadt neighborhood on a walking route.

One side of the sculpture was modeled after a performer from the traveling circus who was in Karlsruhe during the 1920s. This direct connection to an actual person gives the artwork a personal history that visitors often do not realize when they first see it.