Roman fountain in Cologne: Monument to the month - urgent need for renovation!

Roman fountain in Cologne: Monument to the month - urgent need for renovation!

The Roman fountain in Cologne is the focus of the public this week after it has been appointed the "Monument of the Month" for May by the Rheinische Verein for Monument Conservation and Landscape Protection. The facility, which was redesigned by the architect Karl Band 70 years ago, is an important part of Cologne's Roman history, but is reported in a worrying state. Plants sprout from the wall joints, the pelvis has dried out and the reliefs that represent the life of the Romans on the Rhine urgently need to be cleaned, such as the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger communicated.

The semicircular design of the fountain based on the foundation of a defensive tower on the north side of the Roman city wall reflects the topography of the Roman period. Unfortunately, the original fountain of 1915, which was designed by Franz Branztky, was badly damaged in the Second World War; Nevertheless, preserved elements could be integrated into the new edition. A remarkable feature is the 9.10 meter high monument, which represents the Roman wolf, which is part of the founding myth of Rome. Art historian Ulrich Bock expressed concern about the current installation of the monument, which is surrounded by fences and containers, and criticized the overall inadequate care as a "frivel" for a city with Roman roots.

the cultural context

Cologne can look back on a long Roman story, which is clear, among other things, through the fountain systems, which the city supplied with water as early as the 1st century AD. The Roman fountain is not only an important part of this story, but also an important work of art that marks the artistic examination of Cologne Roman past. While the fountain itself was built between 1910 and 1915, it can be attributed to a deeper connection to Roman mythology, since it references Rome's founding myth with the representation of the wolf. At this point, the Italian feature film "The First King - Romulus & Remus" (2019) is also mentioned, which deals with the conflicts of the two brothers who led to Rome.

according to Cologne Tourismus is a frequently visited tourist destination. The relief plates on the fountain wall present insights into Roman life and the personalities from Roman Empire. Visitors can also explore numerous other monuments in Cologne, including the Heinzelmännchenbrunnen, the Ostermann fountain and the Dionysos fountain.

monument protection and archaeological importance

The importance of the Roman fountain goes beyond the artistic argument. With its Roman Germanic Museum, the city of Cologne also has a central role in archaeological ground monument preservation, as described in detail on the museum's website. North Rhine-Westphalia is known for its advanced monument protection law and the city receives annual financial support from the country's monument support program. During the land use planning, potential dangers for archaeological sites are carefully checked to ensure the preservation of history. Over 3,000 old found reports have been archived in Cologne in the past 100 years, which underlines the importance of the city as an archaeological center.

Cologne's monument preservation has a direct influence on the preservation of important cultural monuments, especially the Roman fountain. The challenge remains to protect these monuments from neglect and damage in order to preserve the rich legacy of the Roman city, as has already been emphasized several times.