The brass ring
A polished ring in the railing that visitors turn three times for luck.
W. Bulach — CC BY-SA 4.0 · jailbird — CC BY-SA 2.0 de · Flocci Nivis — CC BY 4.0 · Tilman2007 — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Schöner Brunnen is a tall Gothic fountain on Nuremberg's main market square, shaped like a gilded church spire some nineteen metres high. It was raised in the late fourteenth century and carries forty painted figures of kings, prophets and philosophers. Its best-known feature is a brass ring set into the surrounding railing. Nurembergers say that turning it three times grants a wish, which is why it is polished bright from handling. Look for it in the railing and you will find people gathered round. The fountain is free and always in the open.
A polished ring in the railing that visitors turn three times for luck.
Painted kings, prophets and philosophers rising in tiers to the top.
The main square with the Frauenkirche and its clock, and December's famous Christmas market.
Hauptmarkt, 90403 Nürnberg
Nuremberg Main Market SquareThe commercial heart of Nuremberg since the middle of the fourteenth century, an1 minute walk4.5
The Goose Man FountainA small bronze fountain near the main market square in Nuremberg, from the early1 minute walk4.6
Frauenkirche NurembergThe Frauenkirche stands on Nuremberg's main square, its ornate Gothic front look1 minute walk4.8
Medieval Dungeons (Lochgefängnisse)Beneath Nuremberg's old town hall hides the city's medieval jail as it was left:2 minutes walk4.6
St. Sebaldus ChurchSt. Sebaldus is the oldest of Nuremberg's great churches, built in the thirteent2 minutes walk4.8Set into the iron railing around the fountain, and easy to spot because it is polished bright from handling while the rest of the railing is dark. There are usually visitors at it, so follow them.
The present structure is a copy; the fourteenth-century original is kept in a museum to protect it from weather and pollution. The copy is faithful and stands on the original site.
Ten minutes. But time your visit for twelve noon so you also catch the Frauenkirche's mechanical clock on the same square.