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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Saint-Léger well is a historic monument located in Guebwiller, in the Haut-Rhin department, in the Grand Est region. Built in the 4th quarter of the 18th century, it replaces a 1507 fountain known as the Obere Stockbrunnen. This well was designed in 1775 by architect Gabriel-Ignace Ritter, as evidenced by the date on the structure. Originally, it was surmounted by a statue of Saint Léger (18th century), now preserved at the Florival Museum and replaced by a copy in 1908.

The well has been listed as historic monuments since 1932, recognizing its heritage value. The original 18th century statue illustrates the religious and symbolic importance of the monument to the city. The well is part of an Alsatian tradition of public fountains and wells, essential for daily life before the arrival of modern water systems. Its location in Saint-Léger Square, in the heart of Guebwiller, reinforces its central role in urban history.

The well architecture, attributed to Gabriel-Ignace Ritter, reflects the styles of the late eighteenth century, mixing functionality and decoration. The copy of the statue, installed in 1908, perpetuates the memory of the patron saint while preserving the original of the degradations. This monument also reflects the technical and artistic evolutions between the 16th and 18th centuries, marked by the replacement of old infrastructures with more elaborate constructions.

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