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Top 10 remarkable facts about Anna-Seiler-Brunnen

Anna-Seiler-Brunnen is also known as Anna Seiler fountain. It is a fountain that was dedicated to the first founder of the hospital in Bern known as Anna Seiler.

In 1354, she wrote in her will that the government builds a hospital in her house which is located in Zeughausgasse. The temporary house at a hospital had about 13 beds with 2 nurses. The main goal was to make the entire house serve as a permanent hospital.

In the year 1360, Anna Seiler died and the hospital was named after her. It was also after her death that the facility was renamed Seilerin Spital.

Later on, in 1531 the hospital moved to an empty monastery that had a larger accommodation for a hospital operation in that period. The hospital still exists to date with about 6,000 employees and can treat about 220,000 patients per year.

Below are the top ten remarkable facts about Anna-Seiler-Brunnen

1. Anna-Seiler-Brunnen is very Beautiful and Significant

Anna-Seiler-Brunnen. Photo by Yair Haklai.

The fountain is beautifully situated at the upper end of Marktgasse which stands as a memory of the founder of the first hospital in Bern.

It is represented by a statue of a woman who is dressed in blue pouring water into a small dish. The statue stands on a pillar that was brought from a roman town called Aventicum.

2. It is a World Heritage Site

The internationally recognized fountain forms a part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site of the beautiful old city of Bern. The tower is of great national significance as it shows the history of the town.

During the second expansion of Bern city, the original tower was then constructed as a gatehouse. In 1640 the old tower was entirely demolished and a new modern structure was put up.

3. The Internationally Renowned Anna’s Facility had a Humble Beginnings

Bern, Anna-Seiler-Brunnen. Photo by Krol:k.

Anna Seiler was a rich widow who dedicated her house to hospital construction in the early days. The facility began humbly with just a few hospital beds and 2 attendants.

Not much however is known about the founder, Anna Seiler. She however declared that the hospital should be set up upon her death and was to be funded by her estates.

According to Anna Seiler, the hospital was supposed to serve every class of people including the very needy in society. The hospital has however developed in facilities and the services it offers to accommodate about 6,000 employees.

4.  Anna Seiler was the Wealthiest Woman in Bern

In the year 1348, there was a plaque in Bern and a lot of the population suffered in that period. Anna Seiler was married to Heinrich who was the governor of a Bernese hospital. They both worked together side by side in the administration.

After the death of her husband, she became the wealthiest woman inheriting the numerous properties, lands, and other riches belonging to his husband.

Many rich windows in that period used to leave donations to the foundations but her decision was innovative and she established a link with the ruling power.

5. The Hospital Became an Old People’s Home for the Wealthy

Photo taken by Baikonur.

When Seiler passed on, the first hospital bearing her name was constructed in the town’s Zeughausgasse.

Before her death in 1360, she wished that the hospital would be used to benefit the poor in the community for her legacy.

Later on, her legacy was forgotten and the foundation was transformed into an old people’s home just for the wealthy.

6. The Old Hospital was Reformed in the 16^th Century

When the advent came along, there was a reformation in the 16^th century and they reminded the public authorities to respect the founder Seiler’s wishes.

The public authorities opened the hospital’s door once again to the poor people. This was the same time when the foundation moved to the empty convert on St Michael. This was located where the Swiss house of parliament is situated today.

7. The Facility Burnt Down in 1713

The foundation was renamed a hospital in the 18^th century. This was after the magnificent structure was burnt down in 1713.

The establishment that came along was compared to the royal palace with 12 rooms for the children and 70 for the adults.

The Inselspital later moved to the present location Kreuzmattareal where a year later 340 bed hospital was opened.

8. It Became a Doctor’s Training Centre

After the foundation was restored in Kreuzmattareal to contain the 340 hospital beds it became a significant facility to train doctors.

It also gained an excellent international reputation that brought about many health practitioners in the facility.

Since 1958 the magnificent hospital took its shape with the construction of many other facilities to complement the hospital.

9. The Facility is at the Forefront to celebrate their Anniversaries

The great facility is known to celebrate its anniversaries with its main goal being to bring health issues to the public.

Some of the events that take place during the anniversaries include; a gala event, special exhibitions, and an information day concerning the health issue.

They also have the goal to show what they are capable of offering in the whole year.

10. The Historical Building was Replaced by a Modern Infrastructure

Anna-Seiler-Brunnen. Photo by Max van Berchem. Wikimedia Commons

Most of the historical buildings were demolished between 1958 and 1978 and replaced by magnificent modern infrastructure. The infrastructure includes a high-rise patient building and increased capacity for patients.

The facility is huge enough to offer to teach to medical students and other health care professionals.

Some of the most prominent physicians that practiced in the facility include Emil Theodor Kocher who won the noble prize in medicine in 1909.

Anna Seiler fountain is not only beautiful but also contains a tremendous history of the town. It is a well-known cultural heritage that is so significant in Switzerland.

The facility that was named after Anna Seiler also has a lot of history from its construction, demolition, and reconstruction of the new facility. Her name still stands out to date for her generosity as she is still helping people presently.