Cooling off in Swiss towns and cities
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These fountains have interesting tales to tell, and their amazing designs astound passers-by. What’s more, they’re great for cooling off in on a hot day in the city.
The Jean Tinguely fountain Basel
The Jean Tinguely fountain, with its mechanical figurines, is located on the former site of Basel’s city theatre, right where the stage used to be. Swiss artist Jean Tinguely created this imaginative water feature in 1977. Wheels, runners, sprays and nozzles pump a total of 55,000 litres of water through the pipes of the ten figurines, producing a spectacular performance.
Greth Schell Brunnen Zug
This fountain in Zug dates back to the 17th century. Legend has it that well-known local character Margareth Schell, who the sculpture portrays, often had to bring her drunken husband home during Carnival. It’s since become almost a tradition to quaff a refreshing beer at the Greth Schell fountain.
The Palud fountain Lausanne
The Palud fountain in Lausanne consists of a statue of a young woman called Justitia, who is depicted with bound eyes, a sword and a set of scales in her hands. The sculpture and its twelve-cornered pool testify to the power of the growing city of Lausanne.
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The Jet d’eau Geneva
Of course, we mustn’t forget the king of all fountains. The Jet d’eau – a fountain that reaches 140m up into the air – is Geneva’s hallmark. 500 litres of lake water shoot upwards every second. It offers a unique way to cool off in the current heat. Stand on the pier that leads to the Jet d’eau and savour the refreshing spray, or run beneath the curtain of water.
The Broder fountain St. Gallen
The town’s households first received their water supply from Lake Constance in 1895. To commemorate this event, August Bösch built the Broder fountain in Lindenplatz, St. Gallen. The nymphs, surrounded by children riding on aquatic animals, make this magnificent fountain a real eye-catcher. The figures symbolise the life-giving properties of water.