"As temperatures rise, our fountains are once again becoming increasingly important as places where people can enjoy spending time. Especially on hot days, they help create a more pleasant microclimate in our densely built-up city and are also popular gathering spots for Mainz residents and our visitors," explains Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environment Department.

Starting in early May, around 60 operational fountains throughout the city will be gradually put into service over the course of about four weeks. Depending on weather conditions, the fountains will remain active until around mid-October. Even though operating fountains and water play areas is not a mandatory responsibility of the municipality, the City of Mainz aims to have as many of these facilities flowing again as possible. Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environment Department: “Despite the difficult financial situation facing the Mainz city administration, I am committed to ensuring that our fountains and water play areas are put into operation as far as possible. Especially in times of climate change, the water play areas offer everyone a free opportunity to cool off.”

Technical malfunctions and structural defects continue to limit the operation of certain fountains: For the time being, the Jubiläumsbrunnen, the small Kaiserstrasse fountains, the Gotthardbrunnen, the fountain on Lerchenberg, and the Kästrichbrunnen remain out of service. The water features on Hartenberg are not expected to be available until midsummer. The Klenk Fountain is currently undergoing repairs following a malfunction of the main pumps.

The Kirschgarten Fountain in the heart of Mainz’s Old Town was donated in 1932 by the Mainz Beautification Society. It is made of red sandstone with a column approximately 4.20 meters high and a basin diameter of about three meters. The Madonna was designed and crafted by the Mainz stonemason Jean Sauer; the reliefs are by the sculptor Carl Hoffmann.

An inscription commemorates the fountain’s dedication: “To adorn our hometown, the Mainz Beautification Association donated this fountain in 1932.”

The fountain was restored in 1978 and again in the late 1990s, most recently with the support of the neighboring firm Konrad Schué.