Ganymede’s Fountain

The story behind the fountain

The fountain depicts the ancient Greek myth of Ganymede, a beautiful young boy carried to Mount Olympus by Zeus in the form of an eagle, to serve as cupbearer to the gods. The composition rises in three tiers: at the top, Ganymede sits on the eagle; in the middle basin, sculptures of aquatic creatures surround the column; and at the base, figures of children hold four types of Danube fish carp, catfish, sander and pike from whose mouths water cascades into the basin below. Three pairs of water animals typical of the Danube region are also placed along the rim of the large stone basin: turtles, frogs and crayfish.

The bronze figurative elements were cast by the metalwork firm A. M. Beschorner in Budapest, following Tilgner’s models. Tilgner is also the author of the putti decorating the facade of the adjacent Old Building of the Slovak National Theatre.

What to expect

The fountain is an outdoor monument on a public square, freely accessible at all times. Note that the historic theatre building behind it is the Old Building of the Slovak National Theatre and is not open for regular visits, performances take place in the New Building on the Danube embankment. Hviezdoslavovo námestie is one of the liveliest squares in Bratislava, lined with restaurants, cafés and bars, and is at its most atmospheric on summer evenings. The fountain is particularly beautiful when lit up after dark.

Getting there

Located at the eastern end of Hviezdoslavovo námestie, directly in front of the Old Building of the Slovak National Theatre, a 5-minute walk from the Main Square.

Tips

• Visit in the evening when the fountain is illuminated
• Combine with a walk along the full length of Hviezdoslavovo námestie, one of the most pleasant streets in the Old Town
• Look closely at the base of the fountain for the Danube fish and water animals