Description of the attraction
In the square in front of the famous Church of St. Wolfgang, which houses the magnificent altarpiece of Michael Pacher, created in 1481, you can see the Gothic fountain of the pilgrims, or pilgrims. It is not much younger than the masterpiece in the church. The fountain was created in 1515 by two craftsmen Rennacher and Milich from Passau. This well fountain was intended to supply water to the vicar of the church and the numerous pilgrims who have visited the city of St. Wolfgang since the 13th century.
Two craftsmen made the bowl of the fountain from an old bell. Created during the Baroque era, the fountain looks more like a gazebo, whose roof is supported by four columns. The superstructure over the fountain is considered one of the first Renaissance buildings in Austria. The fountain is decorated with a statue of St. Wolfgang. Near the pedestal, you can see several reliefs, which depict a sea monster, with which brave warriors are fighting; four drunks after drinking and a sleeping nymph.
The water from the fountain has long been considered miraculous, which only added to the popularity of the city of St. Wolfgang. At the beginning of the 16th century, the city was one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Europe. In those days, on the square near the fountain, one could see crowds of pious believers with heavy penitential crosses and iron hoops around their necks. An inn was built for the pilgrims, which has not survived to our time. There were times when up to 20 thousand believers gathered here. During the Counter-Reformation, the number of visitors dropped sharply. And now only tourists come to the pilgrims fountain.
