Ever since the Middle Ages, the Römerberg square in Frankfurt, Germany, has served as the spiritual and functional center of the city. Featuring the Town Hall and various other important buildings, this city center also features the Fountain of Justice (Justitiabrunnen in German), which has come to represent an important aspect of the city’s culture and identity over the centuries and through the current day.
From 1543 Through the Present Day
The first stone statue of Justitia, the female champion of justice brandishing sword and scales, was built in 1543, and it served as a monument to the city’s self-image. Changes to the monument itself and the spot on which the current Fountain of Justice resides would come to represent how the entire area would be rebuilt and reshaped over the years.
In 1611, the current eight-cornered fountain was created along with a new Justitia figure created out of red sandstone. Renovations of this piece took place in 1652, 1705 and 1770, but the centuries had taken their toll on the monument. The current Justitia, which is made of bronze, was funded by a Frankfurt wine merchant in 1887 and is based on the original stone sculpture.
During the air raids of World War II, most of Römerberg was reduced to rubble, but the fountain and figure of Justitia remained mostly undamaged. The Justitia statue itself was removed and erected at an American soldiers headquarters but was eventually returned. In the 1970s, the construction of a subway and underground garage saw the fountain displaced, but it was eventually rebuilt at the original location. Renovations to the monument designed to address issues caused by pollution were supported by donations.
This history is just part of why the Fountain of Justice has been able to inspire the residents of the Frankfurt and attract visitors from all over the world.
Justitia as an Inspiration and Attraction
Like other statues that have come to represent a city, the Fountain of Justice serves as an important icon for the residents that can be recognized in multiple ways. Several German television stations use the monument as a background image for reports on court cases covered by their news teams. Numerous organizations across the city have utilized the iconography of Justitia to promote a variety of causes.
For visitors, the Fountain of Justice serves as one of the essential highlights of the city. It appears on countless items and pieces of information that detail the attractions in Frankfurt and is the central attraction at numerous events, including the Christmas Market.
The Fountain of Justice has also impacted the lives of people living in the area in especially literally ways. The medieval vaulted cellars of most of the buildings in the area were able to withstand the bombs that were dropped in the World War II air raids. They had been connected to each other by an underground network, which opened an escape route for over 800 people to the emergency exit next to the fire water reservoir at the Fountain of Justice.
Beyond the role of the Fountain of Justice played in literally saving people’s lives, it also influenced how the area was rebuilt after the War. After the rubble had been removed in 1952, the reconstruction of this part of town began, which eventually saw the area repopulated with buildings that originally resided in it. The row of houses near the Fountain is now one of Frankfurt’s most popular photo opportunities. The Minerva Fountain, which sits in close proximity to the Fountain of Justice, is another testament to that influence since it is a copy of the original that was destroyed in 1944.
By directly and indirectly influencing the culture and actual look of the city, the Fountain of Justice has helped shape what Frankfurt means to and for residents and tourists. It’s a legacy that’s already lasted for centuries but is set to become even more significant in the future.
A Legacy for Frankfurt
Römerberg serves as the midpoint of the city center, and as such draws in people from Frankfurt and visitors from all over the world to experience a variety of events as well as the history and culture that fills the area. The Fountain of Justice represents this history and culture in a powerful way, and doing so has enabled a legacy that will only become more significant as time goes on.
