Frühling is here!!

        Spring time! Or at least it feels that way! I'm absolutely loving the warm, sunny weather. It was in the 60s this weekend! Perfect for running outside, picnicking in a park, or just lounging in the sun. I can get used to this! Too bad midterms are coming up.....definitely taking my books with me to Stadtpark!

In this picture we're sitting by the Donnerbrunnen Fountain in the first district of Vienna. (Nice little spot to eat a sandwich and people-watch!)

Found this little blurb on the fountain online:

"Donner Fountain (Donnerbrunnen) was created between the years 1737 and 1739 by sculptor Georg Raphael Donner. This is one of his great Baroque masterpieces. The statues on the edge of the fountain represent the four main tributaries of the Danube on Austrian territory, Traun, Enns, Ybbs and March.

Donner was commissioned by the city to construct the Providentia Fountain. Today the fountain is known as Donner Fountain (Donnerbrunnen). The sculptor fashioned naked cherubs in the center of the fountain. Empress Maria Theresa found this objectionable and had them removed. In 1801 Francis II restored the cherubs. They were made of lead, deteriorated, and had to be replaced in 1873."

Actually--none of the statues you see on the fountains are the originals...they were replaced with copies and the originals are in the Lower Belvedere...don't know why they did this actually.

Anyway, there is a funny story that goes along with one of these statues.. (Can't really confirm it's a true story, but I'll tell it nevertheless).

So! Around the time that this fountain was commissioned, there were 2 in-resident-go-to sculptors, if you will. They were sort of feuding for this commission--they both really wanted it. Obviously, Donner got the job...now, it is rumored that the naked man hunting the fish with a trident (behind us) was positioned just so, so that his bare bottom would be facing the apartment window of his rival sculptor! Ha! I don't think I'd like to be perpetually mooned by a Baroque statue of my enemy...but then, I guess there wouldn't be much you could do about it, would there!?

Yep! Here he is! Didn't take this picture, compliments of Google Images....but I can't wait until the fountains in Vienna start running!