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Nornenbrunnen

Nornenbrunnen is a fountain in central Munich, Germany, designed by Hubert Netzer in 1907 in the Art Nouveau style. Built of Kirchheim limestone, it depicts the three Germanic goddesses of destiny—Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld—leaning against a large water bowl. Three mouths between the figures send water into shallow basins on the ground. The fountain was originally erected at the Stachus in Munich. During the reconstruction of the square, it was disassembled and later rebuilt in 1965 at its present location in the Eschenanlage on Maximiliansplatz.

Nornenbrunnen stone fountain with three draped female figures and cascading water in Munich.
The Nornenbrunnen in Munich shows three draped female figures around a large fountain basin.
© · CC BY 2.0
Nornenbrunnen fountain with three draped female figures around a large bowl and smaller basins below
The Nornenbrunnen fountain shows three draped female figures surrounding a central bowl.
© · CC BY 2.0
Nornenbrunnen stone fountain with three sculpted figures around a central basin and water flowing into a lower pool.
The Nornenbrunnen fountain in a park setting, with three figures holding a basin above the lower pools.
August 2013 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Nornenbrunnen fountain with draped female statues and a church tower in the background.
The Nornenbrunnen fountain with sculpted female figures and a church tower rising behind it.
© · Public domain
Weathered stone figure from the Nornenbrunnen stands beside trees and colorful buildings in the background.
The Nornenbrunnen, with a weathered stone figure in the foreground and buildings partly hidden by trees behind it.
© · CC BY 2.0

Identification

TitleNornenbrunnen
English titleNorn Fountain
TypeFountain

Historical context

Date erected1907

Creator

DesignerHubert Netzer
StyleArt Nouveau

Materials

MaterialKirchheim limestone (Kirchheimer Muschelkalk, shell limestone)

Iconography and meaning

Depicted figuresThe Norns, the three Germanic fate goddesses Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld
SubjectRepresents the three Norns

Appearance

CompositionThe figures lean against a large water basin
Water featuresThree spouts between the figures pour water into three shallow basins on the ground

Location and ownership

Original locationStachus square, central Munich
Current locationEschenanlage on Maximiliansplatz, Munich, Germany

History and restoration

Relocation date1965
Relocation reasonMoved during reconstruction work on Stachus, including subway construction
Relocation historyOriginally erected at Stachus, then disassembled and rebuilt at its present location