The Bamberka Well in Poznań

The Bamberka Fountain, located in the Old Market Square in Poznań, is an interesting architectural and sculptural work. Designed by Poznań builder Stahl, the bronze statue was cast by sculptor Józef Wackerle and depicts a woman in traditional Bamberg costume, with yokes and buckets associated with winemaking. The model was Jadwiga Gadziemska, an employee of the Goldenring winery, even though she had no connections to the Bambers. The fountain was unveiled in 1915 in the Old Market Square, where it was initially located in front of the merchant houses. In 1929, it was moved to the western wall of the town hall to improve its visibility. During World War II, the fountain was hidden and then temporarily displayed on Mostowa Street in 1964. In 1977, it returned to the Old Market Square, close to its pre-war location. An interesting fact is the meeting of German Chancellor Helmut Kohl with representatives of the Poznań Bambers at the fountain in 1998. The poem "Bambereczka" by Kazimiera Iłłakowiczówna, dedicated to this place, also holds significant cultural value, emphasizing its importance in local history and tradition. The fountain not only served the practical function of a watering trough for horses and dogs but also became a symbol of the Poznań community and its distinct identity.