Emperor Constantine Fountain

On the church square, or Jean Ittel Square, in Sélestat, the Emperor Constantine Fountain stands as one of Alsace's architectural gems.

Built in 1521 from pink and yellow sandstone, it has undergone several restorations over the centuries while retaining its original charm.

Protected as a historic monument since 1932, this work pays tribute to Flavius Valerius Aurelius Constantinus, the Roman emperor known for the Edict of Milan in 313. This decree ended the persecution of Christians and marked a turning point in the rise of Christianity within the Roman Empire.

According to local tradition, it was his mother, Empress Helena, who discovered the relics of the True Cross, which were then kept in the nearby Sainte-Croix Church, located immediately adjacent to the fountain.