Fontaine de Janus: Strasbourg's Two-Faced Fountain

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A symbolic fountain in Strasbourg representing the city's dual French and German identity and its rich Roman history.

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Fontaine de Janus

The Fontaine de Janus, or Janus Fountain, is a unique sculpture in Strasbourg, created by Tomi Ungerer in 1988 to celebrate the city's 2000th anniversary. Named after the Roman god Janus, it symbolizes Strasbourg's dual French and German cultural identity with its two-faced design.

A brief summary to Fontaine de Janus

18 Pl. Broglie, Strasbourg, 67000, FR

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

Local tips

Take a stroll around Place Broglie to admire the architecture, including the Opera House and City Hall.
Visit the nearby Tomi Ungerer Museum to explore the works of the fountain's creator.
Explore the Neustadt district to see the German imperial architecture.

Other nearby places you may find interesting

Opéra national du Rhin

Opéra national du Rhin: A Strasbourg Cultural Icon

Quai Lezay-Marnesia

Quai Lezay-Marnesia: A Riverside Promenade in Strasbourg

Tomi Ungerer Museum-International Illustration Centre

Tomi Ungerer Museum: A World of Illustration

Getting There

Walking

From Place Kléber, walk northeast along Rue des Grandes Arcades, then turn right onto Place Broglie. The Fontaine de Janus is located at the western end of the square, near the Opera House. No cost.
Public Transport

Take tram lines B, C, or F to the Broglie station. The Fontaine de Janus is a short walk from the station towards the Opera House. A single tram ticket costs approximately €1.90.

Discover more about Fontaine de Janus

Located on Place Broglie, near the Opera House, the Fontaine de Janus is a distinctive landmark in Strasbourg. Created by Alsatian artist Tomi Ungerer in 1988, it commemorated the city's 2000th anniversary, marking its Roman origins as Argentoratum. The fountain's design embodies Strasbourg's unique Franco-German identity. The two faces of Janus, the Roman god of duality, reflect the city's position as a crossroads of European cultures. One face looks towards Strasbourg's historic center, representing its French legacy, while the other faces the Neustadt, the German imperial quarter. The fountain also features an aqueduct-like structure made from 5,000 bricks, symbolizing Strasbourg's Roman past, though no actual Roman aqueduct has been discovered in the city. The inscriptions “Argentoratum MM” and “Strasbourg 2000” on either side of the aqueduct further emphasize this historical connection. The Fontaine de Janus serves as a reminder of Strasbourg's complex history and its role as a bridge between different cultures. It stands as a testament to the city's ability to embrace its dual heritage and its continued importance as a European crossroads.