Neptune's Fountain in Gdańsk: history, legends and meaning. Did you know that Neptune's Fountain in Gdańsk hides many secrets? Located in the heart of Długi Targ, an impressive sculpture symbolizing the city's connection with the sea and maritime trade.
Find out how the turbulent fate of this work, the inspiration from Flemish Mannerism and the legends associated with Goldwasser made the Neptune Fountain an inseparable element of Gdańsk's identity.
The history of Neptune's Fountain in Gdańsk
Neptune's Fountain in Gdańsk is one of the most recognizable symbols of the city, closely related to its history and culture. Its creation was part of a larger project aimed at beautifying Gdańsk and emphasizing its connection with the sea.
The construction of the fountain began on the initiative of mayor Bartłomiej Schachmann in 1606. The inspiration for the project was the desire to celebrate Gdańsk as an important seaport and its connections with maritime trade.
The fountain design was made by Abraham van den Blocke, an architect and sculptor from the Netherlands. The style in which the fountain was designed is Flemish Mannerism, characteristic of the Renaissance.
The process of building the fountain took over two decades. The statue of Neptune, made of bronze by Gerd Benning, was completed in 1615, but the fountain itself did not become operational until 1634.
It was placed in front of the Artus Court on Długi Targ, one of the main squares in Gdańsk, overlooking the royal residences. Neptune's Fountain was therefore both a work of art and a symbol of the city's prestige.
In 1634, an iron grate with the coats of arms of Gdańsk and Polish eagles was added around the fountain, which further emphasized its importance for the city.
Neptune, as the Roman god of the sea, fit perfectly into the context of the port city, and his statue referred to ancient statues, such as those depicting Marcus Aurelius or the Belvedere Torso.
The fountain survived many difficult periods, including World War II.
In 1943, to protect it from destruction, the fountain was dismantled and hidden in the town of Parchowo. Unfortunately, despite these preventive measures, the fountain was damaged.
After the war, in 1954, its reconstruction began, and full restoration to its original condition was completed in 1957.
Neptune's Fountain underwent further major renovations in 1927 and 1954. The last major renovation took place in 2012 , when both the statue and the water system were comprehensively restored.
Thanks to these treatments, the fountain retained its splendor and is still one of the most important tourist attractions in Gdańsk .
The legend of Goldwasser
One of the most interesting legends related to the fountain is the one about the creation of the famous Gdańsk liqueur - Goldwasser. According to the legend, Neptune was outraged that coins were thrown into his fountain, so he struck the water with his trident, creating golden flakes that have decorated this herbal liqueur ever since.
Other Neptune Monuments in Gdańsk, Hel and around the world
In addition to the famous Neptune Fountain at Długi Targ, you can find other monuments and references to the god of the seas in Gdańsk. One of the most interesting examples is a replica of the fountain located in the Mini-Europa Park in Brussels.
This replica, together with other miniatures of European monuments, symbolizes the importance of Gdańsk as a historic commercial center.
The Fountain of Neptune, symbolizing the God of the Sea with a trident in his hand, is one of the main symbols of the city. It is an icon with which every tourist takes a souvenir photo, benefiting from the kindness of pigeons who willingly occupy the monument and provide Neptune with 24-hour protection.
The fountain is located in the most representative part of Gdańsk - on Długi Targ, right next to the entrance to the Artus Court. The design of the figure depicting Neptune was created by the architect and sculptor Abraham van de Blocke.
The 17th-century fountain, with a bronze statue of a god surrounded by legendary sea horses, mermaids, tritons, pelicans, swans and other sea creatures, is a testimony to the fascination of ancient townspeople with the culture of antiquity.
Neptune was such a popular motif in bourgeois art and architecture that his image was immortalized on many tenement houses in Gdańsk.
There is a certain place in Gdańsk where we can see three of his performances. During a guided walk, you can position yourself to see the "Three Neptunes".
Neptune monument in Hel
The Neptune Monument on Hel is an impressive white granite sculpture, modeled after the famous Neptune Fountain in Bologna, Italy . The sculpture was created by Tadeusz Biniewicz, a self-taught sculptor, and the monument was officially unveiled in 2020.
It is the largest stone sculpture of Neptune in the world, measuring 5.5 meters high. The statue became one of the main tourist attractions in Hel , located on the Seaside Boulevard.
Other Neptune Monuments in the World
There are many Neptune monuments around the world, the most famous of which are:
Neptune's Fountain in Bologna, Italy : This 1564 sculpture by Jean de Boulogne is one of the most famous depictions of Neptune. The monument in Hel is modeled on this fountain.
Fountain of Neptune in Madrid, Spain : Located in the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, this fountain was built in the 18th century and is one of the most iconic landmarks of the Spanish capital.
Fountain of Neptune in Trieste, Italy : This baroque fountain, built in the 18th century, is located in Piazza Unità d'Italia and is one of the symbols of the city.
Neptune's Fountain in Berlin, Germany : This fountain, located on Alexanderplatz, was built in the 19th century and is a popular meeting place for tourists.
Each of these monuments has its own unique stories and features, but they all emphasize the importance of Neptune as a symbol of power over the waters and connection with the sea.
Thanks to the various sculptures of Neptune around the world, we can see how this mythological god influenced cultures and art in different countries.
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