Schwallenbrunnen, Karst spring in Bruchsal, Germany

Schwallenbrunnen is a karst spring in Bruchsal that emerges from limestone formations. Water flows through a 320-meter-long side branch of the Saalbach River, forming natural pools along the way.

The side channel where the spring flows was created during construction of the Westbahn railway line between 1850 and 1853. This rail project significantly altered the water pathways in the area.

The spring's name comes from 'Schwall,' referring to the original surge pattern of water emerging from the ground. This naming tradition reflects how locals described the powerful flow that once characterized the site.

The water flow today is much weaker than in the past, now around ten liters per second. Plan time for calm observation, as the spring is best appreciated without rushing.

The spring's water stayed at a constant 11 °C, so the stretch of the Saalbach below it never froze even in hard winters. This steady supply is also why Heidelsheim and Bruchsal rarely clashed over water, unlike other mills along the stream.