Like the Gedeon Fountain, the Moses Fountain decorates the impressive open staircase to St. Ursen Cathedral and connects the staircase with the façade. It is also a bowl fountain.
It is obvious that the fountain figure - also created by Johann Baptist Babel - represents Moses. This is evident from the staff that Moses holds in his hand. With it, Moses commanded the sea to divide (Ex. 14, 21) and in the Sinai desert he made water flow from a rock for the people of Israel (Ex. 17, 1 - 7).
The two horns worn by Moses are striking. This representation is based on an incorrect translation of the Hebrew Bible text into Latin. For this reason there are various depictions of Moses with horns. The most famous one is the figure of Moses in marble created by Michelangelo in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome.
Guided city tours
Each of the 11 fountains in the city has its own story. The figures were used to teach the people. Learn more about the strict rules of water supply in old Solothurn on the fountain tour. A fountain tour is a good idea. Book right here.
Good to know
- The 11 fountains and their history can also be discovered during an individual tour of Solothurn's old town.
