Hannakenbrunnen

The Hannakenbrunnen is a protected fountain in Vienna’s first district, the Innere Stadt. It stands on a small square near the church Maria am Gestade, close to the Danube canal. The site sits at the foot of a staircase designed by Hubert Matuschek in 1937. This staircase links Tiefen Graben with the church above. The fountain was added as part of that project and unveiled on 10 December 1937.

The fountain has a shallow octagonal basin holding about four cubic metres of water. In the centre rises a stone pedestal topped by a group of three figures, a dog and a jug entwined with leafy tendrils. Two figures support a third who appears injured. Each side of the pedestal has a carved fish head as a spout. Both basin and pedestal were carved from Lindabrunner conglomerate stone.

The sculptor, Rudolf Schmidt, based the scene on a local legend. It tells of the ‘Hannakenkönig’, a healer from eastern Moravia who allegedly caused passers-by to fall at night. He then offered his services to treat their injuries. The fountain’s dramatic figures capture this tale in bronze and stone.