Europa och Tjuren

Europa och Tjuren is a bronze fountain located at Stora Torg in Halmstad, Sweden, featuring the mythological tale in sculptural form. The centerpiece shows the goddess mounted on a bull, surrounded by four tritons that represent the sea and water elements.

The work was commissioned in 1919 through a donation from merchant Jacob Jacobsson, who engaged sculptor Carl Milles to create the design. It was officially inaugurated at Stora Torg on November 7, 1926.

The sculpture tells the story of Europa's abduction by Zeus disguised as a bull, a Greek myth about transformation and fate. Visitors walk past a moment frozen in time that speaks to the theme of crossing boundaries between worlds.

The fountain sits on the north side of Stora Torg, a central square in Halmstad that is easy to locate on foot. The square allows visitors to view the bronze figures from different angles without restrictions or barriers.

The fountain carries a Swedish inscription referencing green waves, mother sea, and the donation by Jacob Jacobsson, connecting the words to the mythological journey. This engraved text adds a personal layer to the public monument.