Land Power Fountain - Vienna, Austria
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 48° 12.484 E 016° 21.968
33U E 601495 N 5340328
This is one of two elaborate fountains on the Michaelerplatz side of the Hofburg Palace.
Waymark Code: WMJZHX
Location: Wien, Austria
Date Posted: 01/21/2014
Views: 19
This fountain is known as the "Land Power" Fountain. It is set across from the "Sea Power" Fountain which has previously been Waymarked at (
visit link)
This fountain was created by Edmund von Hellmer in 1897. Surprisingly, there isn't much information about these fountains on the internet. This website (
visit link) refers to the fountains as it was their project to restore them in 2001-2003:
"The two fountains marking the corners of the semicircular Michaeler Wing of the Hofburg complex are decorated by ornate figures and give a uniform impression. Furthermore, they are both made of the same materials (red granite from Uddevalla for the basin, Bohemian granite for the paving stones, Lindabrunn conglomerate for the rocks the figures stand on, Laas marble for the figures themselves). “Sea Power” by Rudolf Weyr dates back to 1895, “Land Power” by Edmund von Hellmer was completed two years later in 1897. We were commissioned to restore the fountains from 2001 to 2003. The main challenge involved damage resulting from the fountain water itself, e.g. growth of moss and small weeds (especially beside the fountain), yellow calcium deposits (in the spray zones), and frost wedging or shattering. We focused on the thorough removal of calcium deposits and the cleaning of the stone sculpture carried out in several phases. To this end we used a low pressure blasting system by BMR combined with Swarowsky hollow glass beads chosen for their gentle abrasive action. To replace the missing pieces of the figures we referred to historical photographs and plaster models stored in the basement of the Hofburg."
The fountain depicts a heroic nude man holding a sword and waving his hand triumphantly atop a ledge which has another man toppling head over heals. Another man clings to the ledge while an eagle seems ready to attack the falling man. Another Atlas like man crouches while holding up a stone with his back. Just a guess...but the eagle probably represents the Imperial powers conquering some enemy.