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Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Zahringerbrunnen

A defining relic of the ancient town of Bern, the Zahringerbrunnen is a colorful and prominent fountain dating back to the 16th Century.

The structure is symbolic of the foundation of the town and is represented by a standing bear; complete with full armor and weapons, with a bear cub under it. It is situated in the Kramgasse, near the Zytglogge tower.

Over the years, renovation and maintenance work has been conducted on the fountain to ensure that it maintains its historic value

Here are the top 10 fascinating facts about Zahringerbrunnen.

1. Zähringerbrunnen is named after the Founder of the Bern City

Photo by  U.S Department of State from

The Zähringerbrunnen fountain was built in the memory of Berchtold von Zähringer, who was, the duke of  Zähringen from 1186 until his death in 1218.

Although fortified settlements existed in the area before, the formal medieval city of Bern was established at the end of the 12^th century.

The city was made a free imperial city in 1218, and it later joined the Swiss confederacy to become one of its eight early cantons.

Today, Bern is the de-facto capital city of Switzerland, with a population of over a half million people.

2. Zahringerbrunnen is Located on Historical Kramgasse Street

Kramgasse street is about 330 meters long and lies at the center of Bern’s old city. The street is on the western half of the central axis of the city’s oldest part which was built right after the establishment of the city in 1191.

It is one of the city’s more upmarket shopping streets, featuring antiquaries, drugstores, bakeries, banks, bookstores, art galleries, restaurants, and wine cellars among others. 

Kramgasse street and its buildings are a heritage site of national significance, and part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site that encompasses the Old City.

3. Zahringerbrunnen Water is Drinkable

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Apart from its decorative nature and interesting history, the Zahringerbrunnen fountain also has a functional aspect. The cool water flowing from its spouts is drinkable and free for everyone.

During medieval times, the local life revolved around fountains that provided water to residents. They also served as public places for news exchange and social gatherings.

4. Zahringerbrunnen Statue Sculptured in the form of a Bear

The statue is a bear in full armor, with another bear cub at his feet. The armored bear carries a shield and a banner, both emblazoned with the Zähringen lion.

It represents the bear that was killed by the founder of the city as he searched for a suitable site to build a city. According to the local legend, the founder of the city had vowed to name the city after the first animal he met on the hunt

The bear was the heraldic animal of the seal and coat of arms of Bern from the 13th century, and the earliest reference to the keeping of live bears in the Bärengraben dates back to the 15^th century.

5. Zahringerbrunnen is in the City of Fountains

With over 100 public fountains in its Old City alone, Bern has a well-deserved reputation as the “City of Fountains”. In this historic city, some of the fountains date back over 500 years.

The history of Bern’s public water supply dates all the way back to the Middle Ages. In the 13th century, there were already several standpipes in the city of Bern. The water came from the city’s underground stream, wells, and cisterns.

6.  Zytglogge is in the Zahringerbrunnen Background

Photo by JoachimKohler-HB from

Another major tourist attraction site on Kramgasse street is the Zytglogge, which is situated just behind the Zahringerbrunnen.

The Zytglogge is a famous landmark medieval tower in the area. It was built in the early 13th century; and has served the city as a guard tower, prison, clock tower, the center of urban life, and civic memorial.

Despite the redecorations and renovations, it has undergone in its 800 years of existence, the Zytglogge is one of Bern’s most recognizable symbols and the oldest monument in the city.

7. Kindlifresserbrunnen is Located in the Neighbourhood

The Kindlifresserbrunnen, or Child Eater Fountain, is also found in the Old City of Bern at the Kornhausplatz. Like other fountains in the city, Kindlifresserbrunnen was once wooden but converted into a stone statue for longevity. The replacement, which stands today, was crafted by Hans Gieng in 1545.

The fountain depicts an ogre eating a child with a bag of children at his side. There has been speculation over the years about its meaning. the most likely explanation is that the statue represents a figure from folklore that scares disobedient children.

8. Einstein House is a Few Metres away from the Zahringerbrunnen

photo by Meeshbaxter from

Located on Kramgasse No. 49 in Bern, the Einsteinhaus is a museum and a former residence of Albert Einstein. He was a German-born theoretical physicist, widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest and most influential physicists of all time.

A flat on the second floor of the house was occupied by the Einstein family from 1903 to 1905. The living conditions of Einstein and his family are displayed in the apartment on the second floor.

9. Simsonbrunnen Shares the Same Street with Zahringerbrunnen

photo by Dennis Jarvis from

Zahringerbrunnen is not the only fountain on Kramgasse Street; Simsonbrunnen is also located on the same street. It represents the story of a bible figure named Samson killing a lion.

The fountain was built in 1544 by Hans Gieng and was modeled after another fountain in Solothurn. The fountain was donated by the Butcher’s Guild and got its current name  150 years later.

10. Zahringerbrunnen is Easy to Access

Zahringerbrunnen is located on Kragmasse Street, one of the principal streets in the Old City of Bern.

The street cannot be reached by car without a special permit. It is accessible by foot, bike, or by means of the Bernmobil bus line no. 12 that runs through it and has stops at either end of the street.

Both sides of Kramgasse street are covered with Lauben, stone arcades that protect pedestrians from inclement weather. Zahringerbrunnen stands in public space and is accessible to visitors 24 hours a day all year round.