Wimmerova kašna Fountain

Welcome to the Coal Market. You are standing right where time has stopped and where the history of Prague manifests itself in the smallest but most important details. In front of your eyes, the Wimmerova kašna, a small but extremely important water element that gives this space its unique character. Before we embark on her rich story, let us just stop for a moment, soak up the atmosphere of this square and perceive the presence of this stone work that stands here and follows the movement of the city. Feel the gray color of the sandstone that comes back to each other in every detail, and listen to the quiet noise of the water that is so soothing in this busy city.

Let us now go back together deep into the past to understand where this work really came from. This fountain is not just a random stone object, but the result of an artistic purpose that originated in the 1970s. Its creator was an important sculptor František Xaver Lederer, a man whose hands were able to breathe life into a hard stone. The fountain bears the name of James Wimmer, which reminds us of the personalities that worked in this part of town at that time and who cared for space and its beauty. It is a work of classical style, which means that in its form we are looking for harmony, peace and balance that are characteristic of this épse.

Now pay attention to what is right in front of you. Look at the basic part of this water source. See that tank? It's square-shaped and its walls aren't just smooth. They're plastic profiled, which means they're carved into shapes that create a game of light and shadow. The whole is carved out of silica grey sandstone. This material is very specific in its texture and colour, which gives the porridge a sense of stability and eternity.

Raise your eyes above now, to the very heart of this work. There's a pillar in the middle of the tank, but it's not an ordinary, hard pillar. Look carefully how he's stylized. It looks like a palm tree, which is a very unusual and fascinating element in this urban environment. And no, this palm tree is not lonely. There's a threat of grapevine around her tribe. Notice how these plant shapes are carved, how their stems revolve around the palm tree and create an organic, living movement in that hard rock. And at the very top, like the culmination of this whole scene, you'll see a statue of a swan. It's a beautiful sight when you watch water gushing out of her raised beak, bringing the whole sculpture back to life and constantly changing.

But the history of this fountain is not only about beauty, but also about the constant movement and struggle to survive in a changing city. This fountain wasn't always in this place where you see it now. Her journey was very stormy. In 1814, it was moved from Bethlehem Square right here to the Coal Market. Later, in 51st, it was placed exactly in this current position. But even here, she had to face unpleasantness. In seventy-four, it was damaged, from the hands of students from Budejovice Grammar School, which is a sad reminder of how fragile our monuments can be.

Another difficult period came in '89. At that time, the fountain had to be completely removed from this place because an important underground network, the so-called collector, began to build beneath the surface. The city must have grown and modernized, which sometimes means sacrificing beauty for technical needs. Fortunately, Prague does not forget its treasures. After all the construction work, in ninety-eight, a faithful copy was returned to this original place, which today allows us to enjoy and admire this work again. The original is then stored elsewhere in order to protect it from further damage.

While you're looking at the swan and the vines, maybe you can think of what this work can symbolize. Artists often put deeper meanings into their works at that time, which were not obvious at first sight. Some people in this sculpture see biblical lovers as described in the book Song of Songs, which would match the romantic and natural theme of palm and vine. Others, in combination with these plants, see the allegory of agriculture, the celebration of the fertility of the earth and the abundance that was crucial to the society at the time. It's a secret every visit can solve in its own way, depending on what it feels in its heart.

I hope this brief moment at Wimmer's fountain helped you better understand the beauty and history of this corner of Prague. It is a small miracle that has endured time wipers, movements and damage so that today he can stand here and remind us of the beauty of classical sculpture work. Don't forget to look at that swan again and get carried away by the sound of water that is so special in this place. Continue to explore the secrets of our city and look forward to everything Prague offers you on its way. I wish you a beautiful and inspiring walk.