Centaur Fountain

The fountain was erected in 1863 when horses were finally replaced by steam locomotives.

At that time people regarded railway steam as something threatening. It was only when it was tamed in the locomotive that they realised ist benefits.
 
Founded over a thousand years ago, Fürth is best known for one thing – the first German railway. Trains operated by the Bavarian Ludwig Railway ran daily between Nuremburg and Fürth when the line opened in 1835. At first, horses towed the carriages throughout the entire 6.4 kilometre return journey. Since coal was very expensive, the Adler steam engine was only used for the 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm trains, running the length of the line in an incredible 7 minutes at 41 HP.

A monument located fittingly in station square commemorates this era - the Centaur Fountain. The fountain was erected in 1863 when horses were finally replaced by steam locomotives. This was cause for celebration. In 1890, over 10,000 people flocked to station square attracted by free beer paid for by the city council. They threw a huge party to mark the opening of the fountain. The monument is entirely cast in bronze and features the statue of a rearing centaur whose hands are being tied by a muscular man.

In Greek legend, centaurs are wild mythical creatures which are half man, half horse. The monument therefore offers a highly visual metaphor whereby the concept of horsepower represents the physical propulsive power of a steam engine. In the eyes of its creator, Regensburg local Rudolf Maison however, the fountain was primarily a symbol of man’s taming of natural forces.