Aachen Part 3: Oddities and Curiosities

We were impressed and amused by the various water fountains and children’s play areas in Aachen, sculptures that we thought were somewhat odd, yet unique and artistic. There’s the aptly named Hühnerdieb (Chicken Thief), which stands in the Hühnermarkt (Chicken Market), and near the Elisengarten we found Kreislauf des Geldescreated in 1977 by sculptur Karl Henning Seemann.  This fountain of sorts with its bronze figures and whirlpool of water demonstrates the ‘circulation of money’.  And on Krämerstraße, between the cathedral and the city hall, was the one that got a lot of attention, Der Puppenbrunnen (The Puppet Fountain).  Created in 1975 by sculptor Boniface Stirnberg, this bronze fountain has moveable parts that captivated both children and adults.  The fountain features puppets depicting the history of Aachen society, including a knight and his horse, a bishop or prelate of the church, a professor, a harlequin, and various carnival masks. And, the Spieleschiff (playship) play area, that we happened upon was a hit with energetic kids. It’s another structure by Stirnberg, created in 1979, and we thought it was an imaginative design.   After doing some research online, we learned that there are many more fountains in Aachen that we’d like to see them for ourselves when the weather is nicer.


2 Comments

  1. I can see why people would be engaged by that fountain. having said that, some of those figures are pretty creepy!

  2. Mikestravelguide

    We totally agree, Caanan! I think we stood there for half an hour or so (or maybe less, it felt like a long time!) watching the kids (and some adults) interact with the figures. All the while, mesmerized and a bit creeped out.
    Gayla~

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