Hygieia Fountain

The Hygieia Fountain, in Hamburg

The Hygieia Fountain adorns the courtyard of honour of the Town Hall of Hamburg, dedicated to the Greek goddess of health. The Hamburg audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this fine fountain, erected in memory of a terrible cholera epidemic.

The goddess of health and the memory of cholera

This sublime statue that stands at the centre of the courtyard of honour of the town hall is called Hygieia. In Greek mythology, she is the goddess of cleanliness and health, and it is from her name that the word hygiene comes. Her presence here has nothing insignificant: the fountain was erected at the end of the nineteenth century in memory of the terrible cholera epidemic that struck Hamburg in 1892, making thousands of victims in the town. This catastrophe, linked to the unhealthiness of the water, durably marked the minds and pushed the town to modernise in depth its sanitation and water supply network. The Hygieia Fountain, richly decorated with allegories linked to water, health and the protection of the town, thus pays tribute to the victims while symbolising the commitment of Hamburg to public health. A fine work laden with meaning, a witness of a drama and a renewal, the Hygieia Fountain is an interesting stop of the discovery of Hamburg.

What to see

You admire, at the centre of the courtyard of honour of the town hall, the statue of Hygieia, Greek goddess of cleanliness and health who gave her name to the word hygiene; the fountain, richly decorated with allegories linked to water and health, was erected in memory of the terrible cholera epidemic of 1892. The Hygieia Fountain is a work laden with meaning of Hamburg. It is a stop to be discovered, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Hygieia Fountain lies in the courtyard of honour of the town hall, in the heart of Hamburg, reachable on foot. You discover it from the courtyard, generally freely accessible according to the hours of the town hall. It is best to check them before coming.

Why was the Hygieia Fountain erected in Hamburg?

In memory of the terrible cholera epidemic that struck Hamburg in 1892, making thousands of victims; dedicated to Hygieia, Greek goddess of health, it symbolises the commitment of the town to public health after this catastrophe.

Where is the Hygieia Fountain of Hamburg?

In the courtyard of honour of the town hall, in the heart of Hamburg, in Germany.