The Monstrous Ogre Fountain
The Ogre Fountain built in 1544 is located in Bern, Switzerland. It is a curious water structure of bizarre connotations that attracts thousands of camera-laden tourists each year. The fountain is a tall column that has a garish, carnival-type figure perched on top while gobbling up a resisting baby.
The Legend Behind the Ogre Fountain
Also known as the Kindlifresserbrunnen, legend has it that the Ogre Fountain is actually steeped in anti-semantic beginnings. The people of Bern (Bernese) say the fountain is only a light hearted amusement from a carnival scene, but the fountain was painted total yellow at one time which was the color used to vilify Jews during medieval times. It may possibly be an unusually graphic representation of the suspicion held throughout medieval Europe that a Jewish religious ritual involved the murder of children. Whichever, Bern’s happy shoppers of today seem unfazed by images of cannibalistic infanticide in their midst. The Ogre Fountain is just another historic tourist attraction for most.
Hans Gieng Was the Sculptor for the Ogre Fountain
The Ogre Fountain was built by Hans Gieng, who was probably of Swabian (a region in Germany) origin. Gieng's style is very close to Swabian art. It is traditional and yet is still in the style of Gothic art religious creations. His style is forceful and realistic in the secular works. Gieng created several if not most of the public fountains of Bern that were erected between 1442 and 1546.
Why Use an Ogre for Fountains?
An ogre is a large and hideous humanoid monster. Ogres are often represented in fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel and folklore as feeding on human beings. They have appeared in many classic works of literature over the ages. In art, ogres are often depicted with a big head, abundant hirsute hair and beard, a huge protruding belly, and a strong body. Today, variants of ogres can be found in most modern fantasy games. The term is also often applied in a metaphorical sense to disgusting persons who exploit, brutalize, or otherwise devour their victims. An ogre was an expression in medieval sculpture found in water fountains such as the Ogre Fountain.
Bern Switzerland is Home to the Ogre Fountain
Bern is the capital of Switzerland with a population of 130,000 and is the fourth largest city. It is small but chock full of quaint old world charm. Bern is a perfect place to live or visit since it has all of the basics one needs in daily life. It has shops, cafes and bars; cinemas, clubs for dancing as well as for bridge playing. In addition, there are many things for the tourist to see and do, especially in the old town. You can even tour Einstein’s house. The fountains of Bern, especially the Ogre Fountain continues to be one of the main attractions for visitors from all corners of the world.