Tilgner-Brunnen, Karlsplatz

The Tilgner-Brunnen stands in the Resselpark beside Karlsplatz in Vienna’s fourth district. It is a granite fountain topped by bronze figures created in 1902 from a model left by the sculptor Viktor Tilgner. The basin’s rim holds four frog spouts, giving the fountain its other name, Froschbrunnen. A central pedestal bears the inscription ‘Zum Andenken Viktor Tilgners errichtet von der Gemeinde Wien im Jahre 1902’. Two cherubs on the pedestal spout water from fish and goose forms. The fountain honours Tilgner’s work and remains protected as a listed monument. Its design reflects the late 19th-century taste for allegorical sculpture in public spaces. The bronze pieces show Tilgner’s skill in blending playful and classical motifs. The granite bowl and pedestal were chosen to withstand the city’s climate while keeping the figures visible. The park itself is a quiet rectangle of lawns and paths around the memorial. Visitors find the bronze frogs and cherubs arranged around a circular pool of water. The frogs sit at the basin’s edge, squirting arcs into the basin. The two putti stand on the central plinth, their fish and goose spouts sending streams across the surface. The granite’s grey tones contrast with the warm bronze, making the fountain easy to spot in the park. The Resselpark’s benches offer a place to sit and watch the water play.