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Hochstrahlbrunnen: Vienna's High-Jet Fountain

A historic Viennese fountain on Schwarzenbergplatz, celebrating the city's alpine water pipeline with captivating water and light displays.

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The Hochstrahlbrunnen is a historic fountain on Schwarzenbergplatz in Vienna, commemorating the city's First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline completed in 1873. It is known for its illuminated water displays and symbolic design.

A brief summary to Hochstrahlbrunnen

Local tips

  • Visit in the evening to witness the fountain's stunning illumination, which typically begins around 8 PM and lasts until midnight.
  • Combine your visit with a stroll through nearby Belvedere Palace gardens for a full cultural experience.
  • Take advantage of the excellent public transport connections; Karlsplatz station is a short walk away.
  • Check the fountain's operational dates, as it usually runs from late March to late October, depending on the weather.
  • Explore Schwarzenbergplatz to discover other monuments and historical landmarks surrounding the fountain.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Karlsplatz station (U1, U2, U4), take the Resselpark exit. Walk through Resselpark, passing Karlskirche on your right. Continue along Technikerstrasse to Schwarzenbergplatz. The Hochstrahlbrunnen will be visible on the square. A single ticket for the Vienna public transport system costs €2.40 and is valid for a single journey, even with changes.

  • Tram

    Take tram lines D, 2, or 71 to the Schwarzenbergplatz stop. The Hochstrahlbrunnen is located directly on the square. A single ticket for the Vienna public transport system costs €2.40 and is valid for a single journey, even with changes.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    A taxi or ride-share from the city center (e.g., Stephansplatz) to Schwarzenbergplatz will typically cost between €6-€8 and take approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on traffic.

  • Driving

    If driving, be aware that parking in the city center is limited and subject to fees. The Garage Schwarzenbergplatz (Schwarzenbergplatz 5) is a nearby parking option. Hourly rates are approximately €4.50, with a daily maximum around €39.90. Evening rates (6 PM to midnight) are around €8. Short-term parking zones in the surrounding districts require a parking ticket, available at newsagents.

  • Walking

    From the Belvedere Palace, walk north along Prinz Eugen-Straße towards Schwarzenbergplatz. The Hochstrahlbrunnen will be visible at the end of the street, approximately a 10-15 minute walk. No costs are associated with walking.

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Discover more about Hochstrahlbrunnen

The Hochstrahlbrunnen, which translates to “high-jet fountain,” is an iconic landmark located on Schwarzenbergplatz in Vienna. More than just a beautiful water feature, it commemorates the completion of Vienna's First Vienna Mountain Spring Pipeline in 1873, a pivotal moment in the city's urban development that brought fresh, clean water from the Styrian-Lower Austrian Alps. Designed by Anton Gabriël, the fountain was inaugurated in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The fountain's architecture blends Baroque inspiration with Historicist interpretation. Its design incorporates symbolic elements: 365 small jets represent the days of the year, six medium-sized fountains and a central island symbolize the seven days of the week, twelve high fountains symbolize the months, and 24 smaller fountains represent the hours of the day. In 1906, the fountain was converted into an illuminated fountain, a *Fontaine lumineuse*, with electric lights that illuminate the water jets in various colors at night. The city later replaced the original lamp technology with energy-efficient LED spotlights. The Hochstrahlbrunnen has witnessed numerous historical events. Damaged during World War II, it was restored and resumed operation in 1952. Today, it remains a beloved landmark, its illuminated water jets providing a captivating spectacle, especially during events and festivals. The fountain typically operates from late March to the end of October.

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