Caritas Well

The Caritas Well

The Caritas Well (Danish: Caritasbrønden), also known as the Caritas Fountain (Danish: Caritasspringvandet), is the oldest fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built in 1608 by Christian IV and is located on Gammeltorv, now part of the Strøget pedestrian zone.

It is known for the Golden Apples yjsy "jump" on the Queen's birthday.

Design

Detail

The Caritas figure

The figure group is originally carved in wood by the German wood carver Statius Otto in Elsinore for casts afterwards to be made in bronze. The figures depict the greatest of the three theological virtues, love or charity (caritas in Latin), symbolised by a pregnant mother with her children. The figures stand on a column in a copper basin. The copper basin is raised above a lower basin on a stone pillar. The female figure sprays water from her breasts while the little boy "pees" into the basin. From 1857 to 1940, these holes were sealed, out of deference to the sensibilities of the time.^[1]

History

Drawing from the 1770s commissioned by mayor Hans Christopher Hersleb

The Caritas Well is a result of a relocation and modernization of an older fountain erected by Frederik II. He provided for the construction of a six km water tube from Lake Emdrup north of the city to Gammel Torv. The altitude difference being 9 metres, the water pressure was adequate for a fountain to be constructed. Though ornamental in character, the well was also part of the city's water supply system.^[2]

The Golden Apples

On the monarch's birthday (currently 16 April for Queen Margrethe II), copper balls covered in 24 carat gold, symbolising golden apples, are placed in the fountain, to balance on the streams. The tradition goes back to the 18th century.

References

↑ Heick, Frederikke. "Caritasbrønden, Gammeltorv". http://www.kulturarv.dk. Retrieved 9 March 2015. External link in |website= (help)
↑ "The Caritas Well". Copenhagen Portal-. Retrieved 2009-04-08.

External æonks

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caritas Well.

Coordinates: 55°40′41″N 12°34′20″E / 55.6781°N 12.5723°E / 55.6781; 12.5723

Copenhagen

See also: Urban area of Copenhagen

Official districts	Amager Vest Amager Øst Bispebjerg Brønshøj-Husum Indre By Nørrebro Østerbro Valby Vanløse Vesterbro/Kongens Enghave

Notable neighbourhoods and localities	Indre By Bellahøj Carlsberg Christiania Christianshavn Frederiksberg Frederiksstaden Holmen Islands Brygge Kongens Nytorv Nyboder Nyhavn Slotsholmen

Parks and open spaces	Amager Strandpark Assistens Cemetery Frederiksberg Gardens Kastellet Kongens Have Superkilen

Churches	St. Alban's Alexander Nevsky Church St. Andrew's Anna Church St. Ansgar's Cathedral St. Augustine's Bernstorff Palace Bethlehem Church Brorson's Church Christian's Church Christ Church Elijah's Church Frederik's Church Frederiksberg Church Godthaab Church Grundtvig's Church Gustaf Church Hans Tausen's Church Holmen Church Holy Ghost Church Immanuel Church Isaiah Church St. James's Jerusalem Church Jesus Church St. John's Church Kildevæld Church St. Luke's Church Mariendal Church St. Mark's St. Matthew's Nathanael's Church St. Paul's St. Peter's Philip's Church Reformed Church Church of Our Saviour Simon Peter's Church Solbjerg Church Sundby Church Trinitatis Church Zion's Church

Museums	Cisternerne Amber Museum Danish Design Centre Danish Museum of Art & Design Danish Revue Museum Fotografisk Center University of Copenhagen Geological Museum Hirschsprung Collection Jewish Museum Kastrupgård Kunsthal Charlottenborg Medical Museion Museum of Copenhagen National Museum of Denmark National Museum of Photography Natural History Museum of Denmark North Atlantic House Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek Police Museum Revue Museum Royal Danish Naval Museum National Gallery of Denmark Storm P. Museum Tøjhus Museum Tycho Brahe Planetarium

Landmarks	Amalienborg Børsen Charlottenborg Palace Christiansborg Palace Copenhagen City Hall Harbour Baths Fortifications Frederiksberg Palace Hotel Astoria Kongens Nytorv Lakes Langelinie Little Mermaid Medicon Valley Nørreport Station Opera House Øresund Bridge Palace Hotel Radisson Blu Royal Hotel Rosenborg Castle Royal Danish Playhouse Royal Library Tivoli

Politics and administration	Capital Region Copenhagen Municipality Lord mayors of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Municipality

Education	Copenhagen Business School Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation Technical University of Denmark University of Copenhagen UCC

Transport	Copenhagen Airport Copenhagen Central Station Copenhagen Metro S-trains Cycling (Super Bikeways)

Districts History Lists Transport

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, April 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.