Stortorgsbrunnen, Water well in Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden.
Stortorgsbrunnen is a fountain in Stockholm's old town with four separate water pumps topped by iron spheres and decorated with lion head spouts. A spiral staircase descends into a basement chamber located roughly 14 meters below ground level.
Architect Erik Palmstedt designed the fountain in 1778, creating a central point from which all distances to and from Stockholm were measured. By the 1800s, dropping groundwater levels rendered it unable to function as originally intended.
The fountain displays classical design elements that became fashionable in Swedish architecture during the late 1700s. Visitors can observe the crafted details like the lion heads and iron spheres, which show how the city merged practical water needs with artistic expression.
The fountain sits in the center of Stortorget Square, making it easy to locate and visible from many corners of the old town. The surrounding plaza is flat and open, allowing visitors to walk around and view the structure from various angles.
The structure was relocated from Stortorget Square to nearby Brunkebergstorget in the late 1800s and remained there for nearly a century. It returned to its original location in 1953 to mark Stockholm's 700th anniversary.
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