Ostermannbrunnen, Fountain in Altstadt-Nord, Cologne, Germany.
Ostermannbrunnen is a sculptural fountain in the old town's north district made from shell limestone with fifteen figures arranged around a triangular base with water features. The figures were created by artist Willy Klein to represent characters from popular local songs.
The fountain was inaugurated on February 16, 1939, as a memorial to Willi Ostermann, a beloved Cologne songwriter who died in 1936. His folk songs had defined the city's carnival traditions before the fountain was built to honor his legacy.
The fountain displays figures from songs by the namesake composer that remain part of local carnival celebrations today. These sculptures bring to life the everyday characters from traditional Cologne folk music that visitors can recognize and connect with.
The fountain sits on Ostermannplatz and is easy to reach by public transportation with free access year-round. The Willi Ostermann Society performs regular maintenance to keep the fountain in good condition.
Every November 11th, the fountain serves as the ceremonial starting point for the carnival season when local carnival societies gather with their flags. The traditional song 'Heimweh nach Kölle' is performed by children's choirs during this opening ceremony.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
