The statue was originally commissioned to celebrate the tercentenary of Gothenburg's founding.
Carl Milles created the sculpture in his studio at Lidingö before it was cast in bronze.
The statue measures approximately seven meters in height from its base.
Local residents often refer to the statue affectionately as 'Poseidon' or 'Posen'.
During the annual Gothenburg Culture Festival, the area surrounding the statue serves as a primary outdoor performance stage.
The figure of Poseidon was designed with distinct, elongated proportions characteristic of Milles's later modernist style.
Poseidon is a colossal bronze fountain statue located at the center of Götaplatsen, Gothenburg's cultural hub. Created by Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, it was unveiled in 1931 as a centerpiece for the Gothenburg Exhibition. The sculpture depicts the Greek god of the sea holding a fish in one hand and a shell in the other, standing atop a large stone pedestal. Water cascades from the sculpture into a tiered pool, which is illuminated by architectural lighting at night. The statue has become an unofficial symbol of Gothenburg and a central gathering point for the city's residents. It sits at the southern end of the Avenyn, the city's main boulevard. The surrounding square is framed by major cultural institutions including the Gothenburg Museum of Art and the Concert Hall.
From the steps of the Gothenburg Museum of Art looking north, allowing you to frame the fountain with the Avenyn boulevard in the background.
Visit during the early morning to capture the statue without crowds in the frame.
Walk up the stairs of the Gothenburg Museum of Art for a superior elevated view of the fountain and the Avenyn boulevard.
The area is illuminated at night, providing a different photographic perspective than daylight visits.
Avoid sitting on the edge of the fountain basin, as it is considered disrespectful and may be restricted by local ordinances.
The fountain is typically shut down and drained during the winter months to prevent frost damage.
