The Wedding Fountain, which was consecrated in 1732, went through several stages before ending up the way it is today. In 1702 Emperor Leopold I donated the funds for a “colossus to honor St. Joseph” after his son victoriously returned from the Siege of the Fortress of Landau. The first monument was built out of wood, but it didn't prove very weather resistant and a few years later had to be replaced by a stone monument, which was designed by Joseph E. Fischer von Erlach. This monument was badly damaged by weathering, war, and the effects of the water of the fountain itself. It underwent careful and complete restoration and conservation between 2006 and 2008: Destructive dirt and mineral deposits as well as old layers of waterproofing and the improperly rendered replacements of missing parts from earlier restoration work were removed and the weakened stone was treated by means of “vacuum-circulation consolidation (VAC)” in cooperation with the company Erich Pummer GmbH. Missing parts were replaced with reinforced artificial mortar. Indent repair that had become damaged due to age or had been improperly rendered in the aftermath of WWII was replaced; reconstruction (e.g. the right hand of the NW angel) was executed according to historical documents.

Project Data:

Address: 1010 Vienna, Hoher Markt
Service: Stone restoration

Service period: August 2005 to September 2008

Photo Gallery: