Nürnberg, Schöner Brunnen

Schöner Brunnen (the Beautiful Fountain) was about the only structure that remained standing among the rubble in Nürnberg’s Hauptmarkt (Main marketplace), as seen in pictures taken at the end of WW II. This Gothic fountain, built in the 1300s, is the city’s favorite monument. The Glücksring im Gitter (lucky brass ring) is enclosed in the lacy iron trellis of the fountain, and turning this ring is reputed to bring happiness in love. (It sure didn’t hurt.)

This part of the city was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing, but this monument survived fairly well. Come to think of it, we have been here several times, and still haven’t seen any water in this “fountain.”