To spot the Franciscan Fountain, just look for a compact, six-sided stone basin with a tall, decorative fluted column crowned by a fancy Corinthian capital, nestled right in front of the Franciscan Church.
Alright, take a moment to imagine you’ve hopped into a time machine-set the dial for 1628! The Franciscan Fountain you’re standing in front of wasn’t always basking in churchly glory. It actually started its life in the quiet backyard of Hauptgasse number 58, springing to life thanks to a certain Junker Hans Jakob Wallier who got special permission on August 14th, 1628, to build it in his courtyard. Now, don’t let its size fool you-the basin may be small, but the details are full of drama! Picture a sturdy trough, its stone walls bulging outward like it’s about to spill a secret. At its heart stands a column, lavishly decorated, with mischievous stone faces and a gaping mouth for the water spout-almost as if the fountain itself has seen centuries’ worth of village gossip and just can’t keep quiet. And perched above that, there’s the date of its birth and the mark of a proud stonemason. Over the years, this little marvel has been moved and touched up quite a bit-by 1960, it landed here after the old Giblin Mill was demolished. Crafted from hearty Solothurn limestone, it’s had a few “facelifts,” but its playful spirit shines through, making you wonder: what stories would it spill, if only stones could talk?
