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The Caritas Well (), also known as the Caritas Fountain (Danish: Caritasspringvandet), is the oldest fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was built in 1608 by
The Caritas Well is a result of a relocation and modernization of an older fountain erected by Frederik II. He provided for the construction of a six km water tube from Lake Emdrup north of the city to Gammel Torv. The altitude difference being 9 metres, the water pressure was adequate for a fountain to be constructed. Though ornamental in character, the well was also part of the city's water supply system.
Christian IV
Christian IV (12 April 1577 – 28 February 1648) was King of Denmark and Norway and Duke of Holstein and Schleswig from 1588 until his death in 1648. His reign of 59 years and 330 days is the longest in Scandinavian history.
A member of the H ...
and is located on Gammeltorv, now part of the Strøget pedestrian zone.
It is known for the Golden Apples "jumping" on the Queen's birthday.
Design
The figure group is originally carved in wood by the Germanwood carver
Wood carving (or woodcarving) is a form of woodworking by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ...
Statius Otto in Elsinore for cast
Cast may refer to:
Music
* Cast (band), an English alternative rock band
* Cast (Mexican band), a progressive Mexican rock band
* The Cast, a Scottish musical duo: Mairi Campbell and Dave Francis
* ''Cast'', a 2012 album by Trespassers William ...
s afterwards to be made in bronze
Bronze is an alloy consisting primarily of copper, commonly with about 12–12.5% tin and often with the addition of other metals (including aluminium, manganese, nickel, or zinc) and sometimes non-metals (such as phosphorus) or metalloid ...
. The figures depict the greatest of the three theological virtues, love
Love is a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment (psychology), attachment to a person, animal, or thing. It is expressed in many forms, encompassing a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most su ...
or charity
Charity may refer to:
Common meanings
* Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons
* Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...
( caritas in Latin
Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...
), symbolised by a pregnant mother with her children. The figures stand on a column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column is a compression member ...
in a copper basin. The copper basin is raised above a lower basin on a stone pillar. The female figure sprays water from her breasts while the little boy "pees" into the basin. From 1857 to 1940, these holes were sealed, out of deference to the sensibilities of the time.
History
The Caritas Well is a result of a relocation and modernization of an older fountain erected by Frederik II. He provided for the construction of a six km water tube from Lake Emdrup north of the city to Gammel Torv. The altitude difference being 9 metres, the water pressure was adequate for a fountain to be constructed. Though ornamental in character, the well was also part of the city's water supply system.
The Golden Apples
On the monarch's birthday (currently 16 April forQueen Margrethe II
Margrethe II (; Margrethe Alexandrine Þórhildur Ingrid, born 16 April 1940) is a member of the Danish royal family who reigned as Queen of Denmark from 14 January 1972 until her abdication on 14 January 2024. Having reigned for exactly 5 ...
), copper balls covered in 24 carat gold, symbolising golden apples, are placed in the fountain, to balance on the streams. The tradition goes back to the 18th century.
See also
*Gefion Fountain
The Gefion Fountain () is a large fountain on the harbour front in Copenhagen, Denmark. It features a large-scale group of oxen pulling a plow and being driven by the Norse goddess Gefjon. It is located in Nordre Toldbod area next to Kastellet ...
* Stork Fountain
References
External links
{{Copenhagen 1600s sculptures Allegorical sculptures in Copenhagen Bronze sculptures in Copenhagen Buildings and structures completed in 1608 Copper sculptures in Denmark Fountains in Copenhagen Renaissance architecture in Copenhagen Tourist attractions in Copenhagen