Easter fountains or Easter springs (Osterbrunnen) are a special holiday tradition in many regions in the southern part of Germany, mainly in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Approximately a week before Holy Sunday of Christ, fountains and old wells are decorated here in the central squares, in front of churches, town halls and in other places.
For this, a metal or wooden frame is installed, on which green branches are attached – living coniferous, evergreen shrubs or artificial ones. The Easter crown is then decorated with ribbons, garlands, and hundreds or even thousands of Easter eggs.
Shehingen
Schöchingen is located in the East Allgäu region near Stuttgart. The local Easter fountain is considered the largest and most beautiful in Baden-Württemberg.
In 2023, 12,500 hand-painted Easter eggs were used for the fountain in Schöchingen. More were prepared, but due to the strong wind while decorating the fountain, about five hundred eggs broke.
This photo was taken in Schöchingen in 2017, when the 15th anniversary of the fountain was celebrated here. The previous year it was damaged by heavy hail, so this time it had to work harder to paint new eggs to replace the broken ones.
In 2016, the fountain in Schöchingen was decorated with Easter eggs, on which various carnival masks were painted.
An even older picture is from 2014, when Schöchingen decided to decorate a series of Easter eggs with postage stamp-style images, dedicated, in particular, to the heroes of popular cartoons and comics.
bieberbach
This photo was taken before Easter 2023 in Bieberbach in Franconian Switzerland, the Bavarian region where this tradition actually originated. Now only in this region there are about two hundred Easter fountains. They even organize special bus tours for those who want to admire these holiday attractions.
The first oral evidence of such a fountain in Franconian Switzerland dates back to 1909. The exact circumstances are unknown. According to one version, the decoration of village wells or fountains at Easter demonstrates the special attitude of the inhabitants of these places to water – the source of life. Due to the geological features of Franconian Switzerland, there is less water here than in many other parts of Germany.
This is how the Easter fountain in Bieberbach looked like on a frosty Easter 2012. In total, about 10 thousand Easter eggs are used here to decorate the fountain. The whole village is involved in the preparation and creation – about three hundred people.
Heiligenstadt
This fountain is located on the Market Square in the community of Heiligenstadt near Nuremberg. It was first created at Easter 1959 and is considered one of the most beautiful in Bavaria. Only in this small community, which has a population of less than four thousand people, there are a dozen and a half Easter fountains.
Miltenberg
Miltenberg is a city in the Bavarian region of Lower Franconia. The tradition of decorating the fountain has been around for a long time. All participants celebrate the completion of work together over coffee and pastries.
Bad Reichenhall
This fountain in the Bavarian resort of Bad Reichenhall is dedicated to the early Christian martyr – St. Florian of Lorch. Each time a new combination of colors is chosen here. In total, about 500 Easter eggs are used.
Ceil-am-Main
Let’s finish our acquaintance with the German tradition in the Bavarian town of Zeil am Main in Lower Franconia – on a square in the middle of old half-timbered houses.