English:

Festival of the fountains

Date:

The weekend before June 24. (The day dedicated to St. John the Baptist)

Origin: Wooden pipes where used to transfer water to the town, which in turn was piped to troughs at major points of the city, where the population could pick up their water. This system goes way back to the 14th century.

When the modern high pressure water supply was built and houses were connected a compromise was reached to keep the historic old pipe system.

The story about the start of the festival was to give thanks after a longer waterless period when the water finally returned. What is never mentioned is fact that there is an ancient pagan ritual to appease the spirit of the well by adorning them with flowers. The fountains where decorated by simple garlands and wreaths. The city council did not condone this practice and tried numerous times to forbid the “fountain decoration”, which is seen as the reason, that the locals got more and more immersed, decorating committees where formed and the event became a competition among the different clubs.

Still today this event generates a togetherness among the locals which is very unique to this town and a huge credit goes to the droves of volunteers which make this annual event  so beautiful and heart warming.

On the weekend before St. John Day (June 24.) all of the cities 35 fountains are elaborately decorated with thousands of flowers and fresh greens. Hundreds of candles and lanterns generate a unforgettable ambiance and really show off the beauty of these works of art.

To really appreciate this event and the atmosphere surrounding it I strongly advise to attend on the first evening when musicians and choirs stroll from fountain to fountain and play their tribute.

Classification:

Annual, historic, worth a visit