Donnerbrunnen: A Baroque Fountain in Vienna
Admire the Baroque beauty of Vienna's Donnerbrunnen, a historic fountain featuring allegorical figures, in the revitalized Neuer Markt.
The Donnerbrunnen, also known as the Providentiabrunnen, graces the Neuer Markt in Vienna's Innere Stadt. This Baroque masterpiece, created by Georg Raphael Donner between 1737 and 1739, showcases the artistic talent of the era. The fountain's central figure is Providentia, the Roman goddess of foresight, symbolizing planning for the future. Surrounding her are allegorical representations of four of Austria's major rivers: the Traun, Enns, Ybbs, and March. The Traun is depicted as a young boy catching a fish, the March as a woman resting against a battle relief, the Ybbs as a young girl with a jug, and the Enns as an old ferryman. The sculptures were originally made from a lead-tin alloy by Johann Nikolaus Moll, based on Donner's designs, and were unveiled in 1739. However, in 1773, they were removed due to concerns about their nudity. Fortunately, they were preserved and returned in 1801. In 1873, the original lead figures were replaced with bronze copies to protect them from the elements. The originals are now housed in the Wien Museum. The Neuer Markt has been revitalized into a pedestrian space, allowing visitors to appreciate the Donnerbrunnen in a relaxed setting. The fountain is a focal point, attracting tourists and locals alike.
Local tips
- Visit the Wien Museum to see the original lead sculptures from the Donnerbrunnen.
- Combine your visit with a tour of the Kapuzinergruft, the Imperial Crypt located nearby.
- Stroll along Kärntner Straße, Vienna's famous shopping street, a short walk from Neuer Markt.
A brief summary to Donnerbrunnen
- Neuer Markt, Vienna, Innere Stadt, 1010, AT
- Visit website
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Getting There
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Walking
From St. Stephen's Cathedral, walk southwest along Kärntner Straße. Turn right onto Marco-d'Aviano-Gasse, then left onto Neuer Markt. The Donnerbrunnen will be in the center of the square. The walk is less than 5 minutes and offers views of the surrounding historic buildings.
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Public Transport
Take the U1 or U3 subway line to Stephansplatz station. From there, it's a short walk to Neuer Markt. Alternatively, bus line 2A stops at Habsburgergasse, which is also close to the fountain. A single ticket for the Vienna public transport system costs €2.40.
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Taxi/Ride-Share
A taxi or ride-share from a central Vienna location, such as the Vienna State Opera, to Neuer Markt will typically cost between €7-€9 and take approximately 5 minutes, depending on traffic.
