Kašna (Třebechovice pod Orebem) Fountain

Welcome to Trebechovice under Oreb. You are standing on Masaryk Square and right in front of your eyes one of the most important and beautiful stone objects in this city. Before you go any further, I suggest you stop for a moment and pay full attention to this early Baroque porridge. Feel her presence, her weight and the sense of history that radiates out of her. This fountain is not just an ordinary element of the square, it is a silent witness of many centuries who survived changes in times, political regimes and urban life. Look at her stuff. This whole water machine is carved from sandstone. Notice how this stone reacts with light, how its color and texture change its appearance depending on how the sun is shining over the square. Sandstone gives the whole building warmth and organic feel, even if it is solid, heavy matter.

Now let's go back deep into the past together to understand where this machine came from. This fountain is not a new one. Her story started in 1675. Imagine the world at that time, the world of an early Baroque, when art sought to move, to be rich and to express strength. In 1675, this fountain was born, created by craftsmen who at that time controlled the art of working with stone with incredible precision. Even though today we do not know the names of the particular architects who designed this project, their championships are evident in every detail that you are currently observing. This fountain was created as a symbol of stability and beauty when European powers formed.

Now pay attention to the architecture itself and look at the details you have right in front of you. If you look down, you'll see the basic part of the object. The fountain is shaped like a square tank. But it's not a simple, rough square. Notice how his walls are twisting outwards. They are convex bent, which gives the whole tank dynamism and softness. This shape makes the walls seem to be in constant motion as if they wanted to spread out into the space around them.

But now raise your eyes above the very heart of this building. There's a central pole in the middle of the tank. And this is where you'll see the greatest baroque-style championship. A column is not supposed to be a simple, equal pillar. Its blade is bound, which means it is carved into a spiral shaped shape. This spiral keeps you looking up, creating a sense of rise and movement. Once you get close to this column, you'll see how richly decorated it is. Notice the acant leaves. These are the typical, curved leaves that appear so often in baroque art. It acts like a living plant that surrounds the stone. Next you will see volutes, the beautiful spiral shapes resembling rolls of paper, as well as tassels, which add elegance and decoration to the whole piece. At the top of this column are then placed two bowls designed for water. This vertical structure, from the wide tank to the curved column to the bowls above, creates perfect harmony.

When you look at these details, you might think of who this work was actually created for. Here we come to one of the most important figures associated with this monument. There is a Latin inscription on the bottom of the fountain. Even if you don't have to know Latin, its meaning is clear. This inscription celebrates Emperor Leopold first. He was a mighty ruler who ruled as king of Hungary and Czech at the time. The fountain was not only a practical source of water, but also a political expression, a celebration of the sovereign and his power. Imagine the nobility that this inscription has carved into stone to commemorate the name of the Emperor for centuries.

And now I'm going to tell you something that might come as a surprise. This fountain was not originally here. Her journey to you was very long and interesting. This monument had its original place completely elsewhere. Originally located in Prague, specifically in a place called Ryneček in the Old Town of Prague. Imagine her in that environment, in the heart of the then metropolis. So how did she get here, to Trebechovice under Oreb?

Everything happened in 1879. At that time the fountain was transferred from Prague right here to this square. It was a gift from the Prague village that brought this piece of history to the town of Trebechovic. A few years later, in 1882, the fountain was restored to serve the locals in full glory. It's a fascinating idea that a piece of Prague history has become part of the identity of this city. So the fountain is not just a local element, it is the bond between Prague and Trebechovice, which was materialized into sandstone.

When you look at this object you can feel a special secret. How did such a heavy, massive sandstone object travel from Prague to here in the nineteenth century? Imagine the effort, the transportation and care that people had to give to make this precious gift come in order. This fountain is basically a messenger from the past who traveled across the country to tell you his story today.

Now that you know her history, her shapes and her path, I suggest you look at her again, but this time with a different look. You will not only see the sandstone column, but you will see the baroque carver championship, you will see the glory of Emperor Leopold and you will see the generosity of the Prague people. Feel the beauty of the acanthus leaves and the elegance of the binding blade.

I hope you enjoyed this brief insight into the past. The fountain will wait for you here at the next square pass. Remember to continue to walk the city and discover other hidden secrets that Třebechovice pod Orebem offers. I wish you a nice walk and enjoy the atmosphere of this place. Goodbye.