Simsonbrunnen
- Visit: 2–3 hours
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Why go
- The donkey's jawbone and butcher's tools Samson carries, tied to the fountain's old slaughterhouse name.
- The fountain on Kramgasse, level with houses 35 and 36, is open 24 hours a day, every day.
Don't miss
- Samson and the lionThe figure of Samson prying open a lion's jaws, made by Hans Gieng.On the fountain on Kramgasse in the old town of Bern. The figure faces west.1544
- Octagonal basinThe basin was enlarged to an octagonal shape in 1544.Under the figure, on Kramgasse.1544
- Donkey's jawbone and butcher's toolsSamson is armed with a donkey's jawbone and also carries a butcher's tools.On the figure.
Photo spots
- Donkey's jawbone and butcher's toolsClose up, the donkey's jawbone and the butcher's tools the figure carries are the detail to photograph.On the figure, on the fountain on Kramgasse.Open 24 hours a day, every day. On the map
Interesting facts1
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In the story, bees build a honeycomb in the lion's body, which inspires a riddle.
Simsonbrunnen - Wikipedia
History
The design is modelled on a fountain in Solothurn. The fountain was first called Schaalbrunnen, an old word for a slaughterhouse, and the butchers' guild may have donated it. The original figure is kept in the Historisches Museum.
- 16th centurySamson is a popular symbol of strength in the city and is compared to Hercules.
- 1544Hans Gieng installs the figure of Samson on an octagonal basin.
- 1973The column and figure are replaced by copies made by Werner Dubi.
Sources: Simsonbrunnen - Wikipedia · Simsonbrunnen (Bern) - Wikipedia · Fontaine de Samson - Wikipedia · Simsonbrunnen: how it describes itself (its own… · checked 11 Nov 2026
- Phone
- +41313281212
Questions and answers
How long does a visit to Simsonbrunnen in Bern take?
A visit to Simsonbrunnen is suggested to last two to three hours.
What are the opening hours of Simsonbrunnen in Bern?
Simsonbrunnen is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
Where is Simsonbrunnen in Bern?
The fountain stands on Kramgasse 36 in the old town of Bern, 3011, level with houses 35 and 36.
Can I see the original Samson figure of Simsonbrunnen?
The original figure is kept in the Historisches Museum. The figure on the fountain is a copy made by Werner Dubi in 1973.
What is the phone number for Simsonbrunnen in Bern?
The contact phone number in the registry is +41313281212.
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