Hygieia Fountain in Poznań

The Hygieia Fountain in Poznań is a monument with an artificial spring, located in Freedom Square in front of the Raczyński Library. It was created after the completion of the waterworks in 1840, largely thanks to the efforts of Edward Raczyński, who financed the project. Initially, it was planned for the fountain to stand in front of the Library, but due to the difference in ground level, it was decided to place it at the intersection of Wilhelmowska Avenue and Fryderykowska Street. The architect of the pedestal was Christian Gottlieb Cantian from Berlin, who created an ornamental sandstone base, on the front of which a bronze medallion with the image of Vincent Priessnitz, a pioneer of naturopathy, was placed. The statue of the goddess Hygieia, made by Albert Wolff, depicts a seated figure in an Ionic chiton, and the artist modeled the face on the features of Konstancja Raczyńska, Edward's wife. This exotic combination of architecture and sculptural art gives the fountain a unique character. In 1907, the waterworks were modernized, which led to the relocation of the fountain to the southern end of Marcinkowski Avenue. The official unveiling of the new form of the fountain took place on February 9, 1908. The fountain underwent several transformations, including relocation in the late 1960s and storage in 2004 due to the construction of a parking lot. After renovation, the monument returned to its place in 2009, restoring, among other things, the water flow from the lion's head. The Hygieia Fountain not only adorns the urban space but also stands as a testament to Poznań's rich history and the achievements of its inhabitants.