Wörtherseemandl fountain Travel Guide

The Wörtherseemandl Fountain is located on Dr.-Arthur-Lemisch-Platz in Klagenfurt am Wörthersee and stands as a captivating testament to local folklore and artistic expression. Created in 1962 by the Klagenfurt artist and sculptor Heinz Goll, this bronze fountain depicts the Wörtherseemandl, a small man forever linked to the legend of Lake Wörthersee's dramatic origin.The fountain's central figure, the Wörtherseemandl, is portrayed carrying a barrel, an object of immense significance in the local legend. According to the tale, a prosperous city once occupied the area now covered by the lake. However, the city's inhabitants grew increasingly dissolute, prioritizing wealth and indulgence over faith and piety. As their wickedness escalated, the Wörtherseemandl appeared, carrying a small barrel and imploring the townspeople to repent and fulfill their Christian obligations. Ignoring his warnings and mocking his pleas, the citizens continued their sinful revelry. Enraged by their obstinacy, the Wörtherseemandl opened his barrel, unleashing a torrential flood that engulfed the city, drowning its inhabitants and giving rise to Lake Wörthersee.The fountain serves as a constant reminder of this cautionary tale, a symbol of remembrance, and a warning against hubris and moral decay. The legend is briefly inscribed on a marble plaque adjacent to the fountain. The fountain's design, with the perpetually flowing water, symbolizes the unending consequences of the townspeople's actions and the enduring presence of the lake itself.The Wörtherseemandl fountain has become an iconic symbol of Klagenfurt, appearing on postcards and in travel brochures. It represents the city's unique blend of history, legend, and artistic expression and is a source of local pride.