buypostcards Store OGRE FOUNTAIN POSTCARD SWITZERLAND Postally: Unused Postmarked & Date : ? Series Number : The Ogre Fountain built in 1544 is located in Bern, Switzerland. It is a curious water structure of bizarre connotations that attracts thousands of camera-laden tourists each year. The fountain is a tall column that has a garish, carnival-type figure perched on top while gobbling up a resisting baby. The Legend Behind the Ogre Fountain Also known as the Kindlifresserbrunnen, legend has it that the Ogre Fountainis actually steeped in anti-semantic beginnings. The people of Bern (Bernese) say the fountain is only a light hearted amusement from a carnival scene, but the fountain was painted total yellow at one time which was the color used to vilify Jews during medieval times. It may possibly be an unusually graphic representation of the suspicion held throughout medieval Europe that a Jewish religious ritual involved the murder of children. Whichever, Bern’s happy shoppers of today seem unfazed by images of cannibalistic infanticide in their midst. The Ogre Fountain is just another historic tourist attraction for most. Why Use an Ogre for Fountains? An ogre is a large and hideous humanoid monster. Ogres are often represented in fairy tales such as Hansel and Gretel and folklore as feeding on human beings. They have appeared in many classic works of literature over the ages. In art, ogres are often depicted with a big head, abundant hirsute hair and beard, a huge protruding belly, and a strong body. Today, variants of ogres can be found in most modern fantasy games. The term is also often applied in a metaphorical sense to disgusting persons who exploit, brutalize, or otherwise devour their victims. An ogre was an expression in medieval sculpture found in water fountains such as the Ogre Fountain. Condition: Good We describe to the best of our ability. However descriptions are subjective and no two persons' opinions will ever completely coincide. Please be aware that we always err on the side of caution, so a card in what some consider excellent condition, we will list as 'good condition', in which case no one should be disappointed. 'No major faults' for us indicates condition that is commensurate with age, without glaring creases or holes, but could mean minor bruising exists at corners, for example. Please always check scans which we aim to make as clear as possible.575Powered by eCRATER widgets.foxrate.swf,RcmdId ViewItemDescV4,RlogId p4%60bo7%60jtb9%3Fuk.rp*g7e6e%3D%3E-13a7e1fb271-0xf8-->
