In the heart of Old Bern, Switzerland, stands the enigmatic Kindlifresserbrunnen, a striking statue that has puzzled observers for nearly five centuries. The sculpture, known as the Fountain of the Eater of Little Children, features a grotesque figure perched on a pedestal adorned in vivid red, green, and yellow hues.
This eerie statue portrays the ogre-like being devouring a baby’s head while other innocent children are either held captive in its grasp or stashed in a bag nearby, all depicted with expressions of fear hinting at their impending fate. Believed to be a part of one of Bern’s oldest fountains, the origins of this towering structure, crafted by Hans Gieng in 1546 as a replacement for a wooden sculpture, remain shrouded in mystery.
Several theories surround the purpose of the Kindlifresserbrunnen, with one suggesting it served as a cautionary symbol aimed at the Jewish community due to the ogre’s headwear resembling traditional Jewish hats. Another interpretation links the statue to the mythological figure Cronos, the Greek god also known as Saturn, who consumed his offspring out of fear of being overthrown.
Some speculate that the child-devouring giant symbolizes the elder sibling of Duke Berchtold, the city’s founder, who allegedly vented his jealousy by feeding on the town’s children, though historical records do not support this narrative. Alternatively, there is conjecture that the statue represents Krampus, a folklore beast popular in German-speaking regions, serving as Santa Claus’s sinister companion during the Christmas season to discipline misbehaving children.
Despite the various interpretations, the true significance of this peculiar fountain may forever remain a mystery, yet it continues to captivate passersby, inviting curious gazes towards its haunting presence.