Liesl-Karlstadt-Brunnen

The Liesl-Karlstadt-Brunnen stands on Munich’s Viktualienmarkt in the heart of the old town. It is a bronze statue by sculptor Hans Osel, set into a shallow stone basin that serves as a drinking fountain. Nearby, a matching fountain honours her partner Karl Valentin, linking two of Munich’s best-loved performers. The square around the basin is paved and open, giving the figures space to be seen from all sides. The fountain was unveiled in 1961, attended by the city’s mayor Hans-Jochen Vogel and former mayor Thomas Wimmer. The speech was given by businessman Gustl Feldmeier. It was created to remember Liesl Karlstadt, a popular cabaret star and actress of the early 20th century. Her image shows her in a simple house-dress, left hand raised and right hand on her hip, gazing upward. Visitors find the statue standing life-size above the basin, which fills with water for drinking. Local Munich residents long used the spot for regular beer-drinking gatherings, though disorder in 2017 led to a private security presence. Now the area is calmer and the fountain is again a pleasant place to pause among the market’s stalls.