Merkurbrunnen

The Mercury Fountain is one of the three major ornamental fountains in the city of Augsburg and stands on Maximilianstrasse near Moritzplatz. This elaborate ensemble was created between 1596 and 1599 in the style of Mannerist Renaissance. The Dutch sculptor Adriaen de Vries modeled the figures, while Augsburg city founder Wolfgang Neidhardt was responsible for the casting work. As part of Augsburg's historic water management system, the fountain was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2019.

At the center of the fountain group, which stands roughly 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) tall, is the Roman god of commerce, Mercury, who has been venerated in the city since antiquity. He wears a winged helmet and holds a caduceus in his right hand, a symbol of luck and peace. At his side is a winged cupid who appears to be tying or untying the god's winged sandal. The four-sided structure stands in a decagonal marble basin. Water flows from various bronze masks, including dog heads, Medusa heads, lion masks, and eagle heads, which symbolize the dangers the god of commerce is meant to protect the citizens from.

The history of the fountain is documented by Latin inscriptions on the pillar pedestal, which tell of its original construction by the city administrators Johann Welser and Octavian Fugger and of several later renovations. A comprehensive overhaul in the Rococo style took place in 1752, when two rocaille cartouches were added. To best preserve the delicate bronze, the original sculpture was moved to the glass-roofed inner courtyard of the Maximilian Museum. In its original spot in the city, a fountain column now stands, topped by a bronze cast of the Mercury figure.