The Banner-Bearer Fountain

The Flagbearer is one of the famous Bern fountains of the 16th century (1542). It is carved out of stone, rather laconic and discreet, but subtle expressive and interesting from a historical point of view. The author of the fountain is sculptor Hans Ging. By the way, this (like most other ancient Bern fountains) stone fountain was preceded by a wooden, 14th century, but it stood then on another square of the city. Historically, as early as the 14th century, there were several wooden fountains in Bern, where residents collected water. In the mid-16th century they were replaced by stone, crowned with characteristic figures mostly by Hans Ging. Interesting fact that earlier fountains were almost monochromatic, but now they are painted in bright colors to resist the effects of the weather.

The brave warrior crowning the fountain in front of the old town hall depicts a standard-bearer in combat armor. In his hands he holds a banner with the image of the coat of arms of Bern. People in the post of standard-bearer in medieval Switzerland were responsible for maintaining order in a particular part of the city, and in wartime were supposed to form an army of residents of this part of the city and lead it into battle. The flag-bearer’s leg was embraced by a pretty bear, the symbol of Bern. Perhaps this can be interpreted as a great attachment of the city to its fountain.