Caritas Well - Copenhagen, Denmark
N 55° 40.683 E 012° 34.338
33U E 347350 N 6172919
The Caritasbrønden (English: Caritas Well or Caritas Fountain) is located in Gammeltorv, an old square in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Waymark Code: WMPD27
Location: Denmark
Date Posted: 08/11/2015
Views: 23
"The Caritas Well (Danish: Caritasbrønden) is the oldest fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built in 1608 by Christian IV and is located on Gammeltorv, now part of the Strøget pedestrian zone. It is considered one of the city's finest Renaissance monuments.
History
The Caritas Well is a result of a relocation and modernization of an older fountain erected by Frederik II. He provided for the construction of a six km water tube from Lake Emdrup north of the city to Gammel Torv. The altitude difference being 9 metres, the water pressure was adequate for a fountain to be constructed. Though ornamental in character, the well was also part of the city's water supply system.
Iconography
The figure group is originally carved in wood by the German wood carver Statius Otto in Elsinore for casts afterwards to be made in bronze. The figures depict the greatest of the three theological virtues, love or charity (caritas in Latin), symbolised by a pregnant mother with her children. The figures stand on a column in a copper basin. The copper basin is raised above a lower basin on a stone pillar. The female figure sprays water from her breasts while the little boy "pees" into the basin. From 1857 to 1940, these holes were sealed, out of deference to the sensibilities of the time.
The Golden Apples
On the monarch's birthday (currently April 16 for Queen Margrethe II), copper balls covered in 24 carat gold, symbolising golden apples, are placed in the fountain, to balance on the streams. The tradition goes back to the 18th century."
--Wikipedia (
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