Fountain at Martinsplatz

Martin's Fountain is mentioned for the first time in 1556. In 1716 it was almost completely recreated from scalar stone. The fields of the hexagonal fountain basin are decorated with reliefs, each showing pairs of signs of the zodiac. In the symbol of the ram, the initials IW (Johann Wankmüller, a stonemason from the Allgäu) can be found between the year 1716, and HLCBM (Hans Luzi Cleric, master builder) in the symbol of the scales. It is provided with a standing figure, that of Martin of Tours wearing armor with the coat of arms of the city of Chur on the shield. The sculptor Alexander Bianchi remade the statue in 1909/10. The original, which the copy closely follows, is located in the Rhaetian Museum, just a few hundred meters away.

Inspired by this fountain, H.R. Giger designed the Zodiac Fountain in 1992 with twelve metal figures intended to represent the entire zodiac. Giger's figures are shaped as biomechanical beings consisting of only one arm and one leg. A system of gears keeps the entire zodiac and the individual signs in motion. Unfortunately, the Zodiac Fountain has not yet made it to Chur. The association Pro H.R. Giger is trying to realize the fountain in Chur in the city garden.

By the way, right next door, directly in front of St. Martin's Church, you will find the bronze model "Churer Altstadt". This makes the old town palpable. The model helps blind and visually impaired people to get an idea of the old town of Chur. At the same time, it also serves as a useful aid for city tours and is an attraction for children.



Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.