Jubiläumsbrunnen

The Jubiläumsbrunnen stands on the north-eastern side of Neumarkt in Elberfeld, a district of Wuppertal. It occupies a prominent position in front of the former Elberfeld town hall, now part of the city’s main administrative centre. The fountain was commissioned by the Elberfeld Beautification Society to mark the town’s twenty-fifth anniversary in 1895. Construction of the town hall began the same year, and the exact site was confirmed in 1900. The sandstone structure rises eleven and a half metres and was designed by Düsseldorf sculptor Leo Müsch between 1900 and 1901. The fountain is a copy of the 1767–68 Neptune Fountain in Trento, Italy. Its eight-metre basin sits on a stepped base and is adorned with sea god, nymphs and sea monsters. A three-tiered superstructure supports a three-metre figure of Neptune surrounded by tritons, putti and dolphins. A bronze cartouche on the rim carries an inscription. Before the official unveiling on 28 October 1901, parts of two corner figures were hacked off overnight in protest at their anatomical detail. The ensuing public debate drew fierce criticism from both pulpits and press. Today the Jubiläumsbrunnen is recognised as an outstanding example of historicist sculpture and has been listed as a protected monument since 2000. Damage from vandalism and frost has since been repaired with private donations. The basin and figures now stand restored, though traces of the earlier attack remain visible. Visitors find a sculptural ensemble framed by the surrounding Neumarkt square and the historic town hall behind.