Kindlifresserbrunnen

a figure devouring children, possibly symbolizing a warning. I can imagine parents showing this to their kids to demonstrate what will happen if they don't behave.

The ‘Child-Eater Fountain’ is the fifth of eleven colored figure fountains you will encounter when starting your UNESCO World Heritage Site zigzag discovery tour through Bern's old town from the railway station. The fountain is a popular selfie spot for visitors of all kinds and features a seated ogre devouring a naked child. Placed at his side is a bag containing more children. While there are many theories out there about the true meaning of this depiction, the one I find most pertinent is that the eight children on the fountain represent the eight cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy and the ogre an enemy trying to gobble up the cantons. But we’ll probably never know for sure.

At the east end of Marktgasse, you'd find a painted fountain sculpture that was created in the 15th century, displaying an ogre eating a child whilst his other hand holding a bag of children that were going to be his food. There have been many theories of what this sculpture represents but no one could confirm. It's a scary sculpture that will easily catch your attention when you're there.

A 500 year old Statue that no one knows the origin of its maker and the story behind its making that looks scary and really beautifully detailed

An originally wooden fountain was replaced with a stone one in 1527. The fountain figure, dated 1543, is attributed to Hans Gieng. In his right hand he carries the banner of the Society of Riflemen, which was dissolved in 1799 and which the Rice Musket Riflemen's Society has led ever since. In his left hand he holds a sword. Between its legs, a bear cub aims a rifle at the arbours. At the original location of the fountain, the little bear aimed at the entrance of the former house of the rifle club. The sword already had to be repaired in 1558, and in 1670 the column and the base of the fountain were replaced under the direction of Abraham Dünz, the minster master craftsman. In 1783/84 the fountain basin and the pedestal were replaced. The Schützenbrunnen was moved twice in 1890 and 1939, the latter time the fountain was rotated 180 degrees, and parts of the pedestal and the figure were replaced. When the fountain was moved in April 2013, the fountain figure was severely damaged and had to be professionally repaired at great expense

Probably one of the most famous 16h century fountains in Bern, depicts a scary looking being, possibly an ogre, devouring little children. The exact history is lost in the mist of time, but it's a fantastic work in any case.

If you are walking from the Main Train Station, it will take you about 10-15 minutes to reach Kornhausplatz. This is where you will find this fountain, which dates from the XVI century. Even though it is not the only fountain in Bern, it is one of the most visited ones. It might be shocking to some to see a fountain of an ogre eating children...but that is what it is. There are several theories regarding the meaning of the fountain, but as of today they all remain as theories.

Pretty creepy but very cool piece of sculpture! There are so many differing opinions on what the artist had in mind when he made this. It's best to Google them haha!. But if you're walking by..its definitely eye catcher!

I read about Kindlifresserbrunnen in my guidebook for Switzerland, listed as a must-see architecture in Berne. Aside from Zytglogge and Bärengraben, this structure topped my list of things to see during my day trip to the city. Kindlifresserbrunnen translates to "child-eater fountain," and it depicts exactly that: an ogre eating babies by the sack full. Not only was I enthralled by this concept, but I was amazed that it was actually a long-standing public structure and not a form of avant garde art. This would never be erected in The States... but I would love to see one appear anyways. Berne, keep staying awesome.