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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Bear Fountain is a historic monument located in Heiligenstein, in the department of Lower Rhine, in the Grand East. Dating from the 16th century, this building is distinguished by its architecture and its inscription as historical monuments since 1990. It is located precisely on Main Street, in the centre of the Alsatian village.

The fountain, also known as the Bear fountain, belongs to the public domain of the commune. Its name evokes a symbolism related to ursids, although the available sources do not specify the exact origin of this name. The monument reflects the importance of water points in medieval and reborn villages, often linked to daily and community life.

The building was officially protected by a registration order on December 7, 1990, recognizing its heritage value. The available data indicate an approximate location at 2 rue de l'Ours, although the official address recorded in the Merimée database is Main Street. The fountain remains a central part of the local heritage, managed by the municipality of Heiligenstein.

In the 16th century, Alsace, then under Germanic and French influence, saw the development of urban infrastructures such as fountains, essential for water supply and social gatherings. These monuments also served as landmarks in villages, often decorated with symbolic or religious motifs. The Bear Fountain is in this context, although its precise architectural details are not described in the sources consulted.

No information is available on any sponsors, artists or specific historical events related to this fountain. Its classification in 1990, however, underlines its importance in the Alsatian heritage, alongside other protected monuments of the Lower Rhine.

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