Ludwigsplatz (Ludwig's Square), Nuremberg

Nuremberg’s Ludwigsplatz (Ludwig's Square) has been particularly famous since 1984, as the site of an unusual fountain.

Another local attraction close-by, somewhat older, the White Tower, appeared in 1250 as part of the medieval fortification complex. Its white color was hard to maintain, and so to keep it clean, the grumpiest of city wives were employed regularly, as part of their reformation process. At some point, either the wives became too complaisant or the husbands resigned themselves, but the tower plaster turned completely non-white and had to be removed – during restoration after World War II; but the name stuck.

In 1972, the White Tower began to serve as an entrance to the newly-built subway station. During the construction, a ventilation shaft was erected in front of it, which by no means adorned the area. In a bid to conceal it, the city authorities announced a competition for the best idea. The winner was Professor Jürgen Werber, a sculptor by profession, who proposed to create a composition based on the poem "Bittersweet Family Life" by the famous German poet, Hans Sachs, who lived in Nuremberg in the Middle Ages.

Called the Brunnen (Marriage) Carousel, the fountain reflects different stages of married life, its joyful and sad moments, depicted in bronze. The six sculptural groups are arranged in a circle on stylized carriages in the form of different animals, and represent stages of relationship between husbands and wives – from the first passion to death. Each composition has a hint and a hidden meaning that everyone is free to interpret their own way.

The fountain is a true work of art and causes a great deal of controversy to this day. There are always lots of tourists hurrying to snap a shot of the fountain or themselves in front of it.