Schwendi Fountain

Erected in 1898 on the Place de l’Ancienne Douane, this fountain is distinguished by its bronze statue by Auguste Bartholdi depicting Lazare de Schwendi (1522-1583), a military leader serving Emperor Maximilian II between 1564 and 1568. According to legend, Schwendi brought back the Tokay grape variety from Hungary after fighting the Turks. Bartholdi was inspired by this to sculpt the statue holding a vine branch in his hand.

Destroyed in 1940, the fountain was rebuilt after the war with a smaller basin and a different orientation, to restore its original place on the Place de l’Ancienne Douane.