Fontaine Schwendi, Bronze fountain in central Colmar, France.
The Schwendi fountain is a bronze monument on a stone base in Colmar's old town. The artwork shows a standing figure holding a grapevine branch positioned above a decorated basin.
The bronze statue of Lazare de Schwendi (1522-1583), lord of Hohlandsbourg, was made by Bartholdi in 1898. The original fountain was demolished in 1940 during the Second World War; the present basin replaced it and kept the original statue. Originally the figure turned its back on the Koïfhus and was turned to face it in 1954.
The bronze figure holds a vine branch that, by legend, is the Tokay grape Lazare de Schwendi brought back from his campaigns in Hungary. In fact, Alsace Tokay is a Pinot gris known in the region since the Middle Ages, and the name Tokay has been banned in Alsace since 2007. Schwendi received the seigneurie of Hohlandsberg with Kientzheim castle as reward for his services.
The fountain stands on the Place de l'Ancienne-Douane, in the paved open area directly behind the Koïfhus. Visitors reach it on foot through the old town; the square is open and the basin and pillar can be walked around. The statue faces the Koïfhus since it was turned around in 1954.
The grapevine branch in the statue's hand is linked to a legend: Schwendi is said to have brought the Tokay grape back from his campaigns in Hungary. In fact, Alsace Tokay is a Pinot gris known in the region since the Middle Ages, and the name Tokay has been banned in Alsace since 2007.
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