Maulbronn Fountain

The Fountain House at Maulbronn Monastery, built between 1340 and 1350, is where Cistercian monks once paused to wash themselves before and after... more

by Jean Hall

Title

Maulbronn Fountain

Artist

Jean Hall

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

The Fountain House at Maulbronn Monastery, built between 1340 and 1350, is where Cistercian monks once paused to wash themselves before and after meals. The current three-tiered fountain, though typical of the Cistercian style, was created in 1878 -- after the monastery had become a Protestant school -- out of unrelated bowls from three different centuries.

Overhead on the vaulted ceiling are original paintings from 1511, and the windows surrounding the fountain are each topped by three quatrefoil (four-petaled) windows. The quatrefoil is a Christian symbol with several meanings: the cross; the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; and God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and the church.

Uploaded

July 31st, 2013