Ganymedova kašna Fountain

Ganymedova kašna is located in the middle of Masaryk Square in Vyškov and represents an important example of Baroque art from around 1730. Together with a nearby Marian pillar, it was created as a work connected with the disappearance of the plague from 1715 and has been protected historically since 1958.

This building was created around 1730 and can be considered as the beginning of the quality baroque art in Vyškov, together with the Marian column, which was created twelve years earlier. Both works are closely linked to the plague, which in the village and surrounding area was most significantly held for four months from August to December 1715 when the city gates were closed. The historical context of the first decades of the 18th century brings a picture of Europe going through the period of power conflicts and stabilisation after the wars of Spanish heritage. In the Czech countryside and in the cities, baroque art, often associated with thank-you buildings after plague epidemics, was a strong manifestation.

This stone fountain stands on a one-stage pedestal and its bathtub is shaped like a quadriloblobe or four-leaf. The front part of the scene is shot northeast towards the wider part of the triangle square. The centre of the fountain consists of a pillar pyramid rock on which is an eagle representing Zeus, which is preparing to take off. On his back, he balances a naked child with a crown representing Prince Ganymed. Below this main scene lies a roaring lion on the right and a dolphin on the left. These animals together with sculpted reeds in the back form gargoyles gushing water into the fountain. The depiction of the dolphin, the lion and the reeds complement the entire composition. The dolphin is a traditional symbol of the water element, while the lion does not appear in the Ovidius story or on the sign of the town of Vyškov.

For years, this fountain served together with a well excavated in 1839 as the only source of drinking water in the centre of Vyškov. Until the introduction of the public water network, water in the fountain and well has been continuously cleaned, but has not been drinking since. Ganymedo's motive is not the usual topic for fountains and fountains. Other known fountains with this theme are located in Bratislava, St. Petersburg and Florence. In the immediate vicinity of Masaryk Square, there is also a Marian column.

The building has undergone many repairs and restoration interventions over decades. In 2009, there was a frequent water leak from the fountain. After earlier repairs in 2005, the town called the restoration and academic sculptor Radek Levínský. In July 2010, it applied a flexible spatula to the bottom of the bath at the point of leak, silicone seal walls and cover coating on the inside of the fountain. In November and December 2016 it was also necessary to repair the technical shafts under the fountain, as both wiring and pumps were in poor condition. For this repair, the walls of the shafts needed to be developed, new ceilings and installation fixed. The total cost was around 180,000 crowns. In the winter months, the water from the fountain is regularly released so that the frost does not damage the water-spouting tube.

Today, this monument is freely accessible to visitors in the historic city centre of Masaryk Square. Her visit offers a view of a valuable Baroque sculpture with an unusual ancient motif, which still resembles historical events associated with plague disease and building development of Vyškov.