Bärenbrunnen, Stone fountain with bear sculptures in Werderscher Markt, Berlin-Mitte, Germany
The Bärenbrunnen is a fountain on Werderscher Markt in Berlin-Mitte, in front of the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche. Its lower octagonal pedestal, 60 cm high and 3.5 m across, carries four pairs of playing bear cubs about 60 cm tall; the mother bear, roughly 1.25 m without plinth, sits on a second 70 cm octagonal pedestal. Small jets rise from a hollow beneath each pair of cubs, and the pedestal walls are fluted.
The fountain was created in 1928 by sculptor Hugo Lederer. After being destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt and restored in 1958 by sculptor Walter Sutkowski.
The fountain displays Berlin's heraldic animal through several bears carved in red volcanic rock. The playful cubs and their mother have become part of how locals and visitors experience this public square.
The fountain sits on an active public square that is accessible year-round. The red volcanic rock can become slippery when wet, so walk carefully around the water basins.
Each of the four sides displays different playful scenes with young bears, and each side has its own water outlets. This design invites visitors to walk around and discover the bears from multiple angles.
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