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Schöner Brunnen
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
poi · DE

Schöner Brunnen

Getting around: On Nuremberg's Hauptmarkt, in the center of the old town.
Hours: Outdoor fountain in a public square, accessible at all times, free.

The Schöner Brunnen (Beautiful Fountain) is a tall, ornate Gothic fountain built in the late 14th century, shaped like a spire and decorated with 40 figures representing a mix of religious, historical, and legendary figures arranged in tiers. What most visitors actually come to do is find and spin a seamless golden ring embedded in the surrounding iron fence — a local tradition holding that spinning it three times brings good luck.

It's a five-minute stop rather than a destination, easily combined with the rest of the Hauptmarkt, though the ring-spinning tradition means it draws a steady stream of visitors testing their luck even for a fairly small monument.

Schöner Brunnen FAQs

What is the golden ring tradition?

A seamless brass ring is embedded in the fountain's surrounding iron fence, and local tradition holds that spinning it three times brings good luck.

Is the current fountain original?

The fountain has been restored and partially replaced over the centuries (some original figures are preserved in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum), with a copy standing on the square today.

How old is it?

It dates to the late 14th century, one of Nuremberg's oldest surviving public monuments in concept, if not entirely in original material.

Is there a fee to see it?

No, it's a free public fountain in the open Hauptmarkt square.

How long does a visit take?

Just a few minutes, typically combined with the rest of a Hauptmarkt visit.

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