The sculpture was originally known as the 'Platzbrunnen' before gaining its current, more descriptive name in the 17th century.
The ogre is depicted wearing a pointed hat similar to a Judenhut, fueling long-standing debates regarding its anti-Semitic origins.
The base of the fountain is adorned with a decorative frieze showing a troop of armed bears, a nod to the heraldic symbol of Bern.
The fountain replaced an older wooden structure that stood at the same location from the 15th century.
It is one of the oldest and best-preserved public monuments in the Swiss capital.
The Kindlifresserbrunnen, or 'Child Eater Fountain,' is a landmark 16th-century monument located on Kornhausplatz in Bern, Switzerland. Constructed in 1545-1546 by Hans Gieng, it features a polychrome stone sculpture depicting an ogre devouring children from a sack. The fountain is part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City of Bern. It serves as a prime example of the city's unique tradition of 16th-century ornamental wells. The central figure's identity remains debated, with theories ranging from a warning to Jewish residents to a representation of the Greek god Cronus or a Krampus-like punitive figure. The structure sits at the heart of the capital, surrounded by historic sandstone buildings and arcades. It remains one of the most distinctive and photographically sought-after historic water installations in the city.
From the street level on the side facing the Zytglogge, capturing the ogre and the historic clock tower in the background.
Visit during the early morning hours to photograph the fountain without crowds in the frame.
Look closely at the base to spot the detailed military procession of bears sculpted into the stone.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby arcades to see other historic fountains in the city.
Do not drink the water from the fountain; while it is part of the city's historic water system, it is not explicitly marked as potable for visitors.
