Pfeiferbrunnen (Bagpiper Fountain), Bern

Pfeiferbrunnen (Bagpiper Fountain), Bern

The Pfeiferbrunnen or Bagpiper Fountain was was built in 1545–46 by the Swiss Renaissance sculptor Hans Gieng. The statue in the fountain was based on a 1514 woodcut print "Bagpiper" made by the well known German painter and woodcut printer Albrecht Durer.

Originally the fountain was located in front of Gasthaus zum Kreuz which was a guesthouse serving the traveling minstrels. During the medival time Europe, a minstrel is an entertainer such as musician, juggler, acrobat, and singer. Often minstrels performed songs which told stories of distant places or existing or imaginary historical events. Given its location, one can imagine the reason for the statue.

The current basin was built in 1889. In 1919 the fountain was moved to the east from its original spot to its current location in front of Spitalgasse 21.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.

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Pfeiferbrunnen (Bagpiper Fountain) on Map

Sight Name: Pfeiferbrunnen (Bagpiper Fountain)
Sight Location: Bern, Switzerland (See walking tours in Bern)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Bern, Switzerland

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