{"id":61495,"date":"2023-06-27T11:24:15","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T10:24:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=61495"},"modified":"2026-03-09T11:47:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T10:47:31","slug":"donnerbrunnen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/donnerbrunnen\/","title":{"rendered":"The Donnerbrunnen"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnensmall.jpg\" alt=\"The figure of Providentia\" class=\"wp-image-61494\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnensmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnensmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Drop into Neuer Markt square and your eye drifts naturally to the large fountain at the centre. Although overshadowed (figuratively and, sometimes, literally) by many nearby historical buildings, the Donnerbrunnen has its own claim to fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Completed in 1739<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Figures are bronze copies from 1873<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Early example of secular public art<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a two-hour <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_WalkingTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">walking tour<\/a>* in Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/austriabrunnen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"29810\">Austriabrunnen<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/albrechtsbrunnen-danubiusbrunnen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32741\">Albrechtsbrunnen<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">18th-century fountain<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/neuermarkt.jpg\" alt=\"Neuer Markt square\" class=\"wp-image-53770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/neuermarkt.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/neuermarkt-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(View of the fountain from the south)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Completed in 1739, the Donnerbrunnen was actually a municipal commission. Given the date, you might expect imperial reliefs or Christian motifs to dominate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was possibly the first piece of such public art to forego the usual religious and Habsburgian imagery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That novel secular approach perhaps reflected the growing self-confidence of the city authorities in an era of absolute monarchs. Though I can imagine you might have spotted one or two nervous faces at the unveiling.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen1.jpg\" alt=\"River statue at the side of a fountain\" class=\"wp-image-61491\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The personification of the River Enns)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apparently, that unveiling took place on the Emperor&#8217;s names day, which seems like a sensible way to placate any potential imperial ire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Donnerbrunnen name comes from the sculptor who designed the fountain: Georg Raphael Donner (1693-1741).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another name you find used is the Providentiabrunnen, since the central figure is Providentia: the personification of the virtue of making provision for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other elements in Donner&#8217;s ensemble piece have river connections.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"328\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/donnerbrunnen1893.jpg\" alt=\"Painting of a nineteenth century square\" class=\"wp-image-81139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/donnerbrunnen1893.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/donnerbrunnen1893-300x197.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Painting of the square and fountain around 1893 by Rudolf von Alt; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 9978; excerpt reproduced under the terms of the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY 4.0 license<\/a>; photo by the Wien Museum)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below Providentia, for example, you find four putti handling various local fish species. And the four figures around the fountain&#8217;s edges personify tributaries of the Danube that would have run through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/habsburg-monarchy-introduction\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12850\">core Habsburg lands<\/a> around Vienna: the March, Ybbs, Enns and Traun rivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rivers make an obvious and common theme for fountains in Vienna: see, for example, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/albrechtsbrunnen-danubiusbrunnen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32741\">Albrechtsbrunnen<\/a> just up the road below the Albertina art museum or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/austriabrunnen\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"29810\">Austriabrunnen<\/a> on the Freyung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The river figures on the Donnerbrunnen feel more varied than your typical watery statues, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take the two men, for example. One elderly gentleman rests languidly with oar in hand, while a more youthful chap leans over the basin, trident poised to spear a fish below.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen3.jpg\" alt=\"Inscription on the Donnerbrunnen\" class=\"wp-image-61493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen3.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen3-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The inscription notes that bronze restorations were carried out in 1873 by the foundry run by Josef R\u00f6hlich and Franz P\u00f6nninger)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, sharp-eyed observers will see the date 1873 inscribed on the fountain, which seems suspicious given the 18th-century origins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadly, the lead-based statues designed by Donner proved a little too needy in terms of repair and maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, bronze copies later replaced the sculptor&#8217;s figures. Fortunately, the latter can be seen in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/wien-museum-karlsplatz\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"66174\">permanent exhibition of the Wien Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts consider those originals important works of mannerist art and far more animated than their 19th-century equivalents.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen2.jpg\" alt=\"River statue at the side of a fountain\" class=\"wp-image-61492\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen2.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/donnerbrunnen2-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Personification of the River Ybbs)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The square hosting the Donnerbrunnen sits right in the middle of Vienna, so various sights and attractions occupy the surrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two places of particular interest lie on Neuer Markt itself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/kapuzinerkirche-capuchin-church\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"75265\">Capuchin church<\/a> in the southwest corner with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/kapuzinergruft\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"245\">Kapuzinergruft<\/a> crypt. This provides a home for the mortal remains of dozens of emperors, empresses and their families. Look, especially, for the gothic horror-like decoration on the sarcophagus of Emperor Karl VI<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The area has plenty of caf\u00e9s and restaurants, but I have a soft spot for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/oberlaa-neuer-markt\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"53975\">Konditorei Oberlaa<\/a> at the northwest corner of the square with its conservatory-like extension. I&#8217;ve always had fast and friendly service inside<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/oberlaaneuermarkt2024.jpg\" alt=\"Full view of the Oberlaaer Stadthaus\" class=\"wp-image-71725\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/oberlaaneuermarkt2024.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/oberlaaneuermarkt2024-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The nearby Oberlaa caf\u00e9-confectionery)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get there<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Although embedded in the old town, Neuer Markt is easy to reach by public transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway: a short walk from Stephansplatz (U1 and U3 lines) or Karlsplatz (U1, U2 and U4) stations. At Karlsplatz, be sure to take the Oper exits, as it&#8217;s a big station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tram: also a short walk from the Oper\/Karlsplatz stop on the 1, 2, D, 71, and 62 tram lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Neuer Markt, 1010 Vienna<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1asmHlbVpicbQLt1557vf6l4l0zQ\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Donnerbrunnen fountain on Neuer Markt square has its own claim to fame<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":61494,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-61495","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sights","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61495"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":89152,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61495\/revisions\/89152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}