Alfred Escher memorial fountain

The Alfred Escher memorial fountain in Zurich sits on Bahnhofplatz, right in front of the central railway station. Unveiled in 1889, this bronze monument honours one of the most influential Swiss figures of the nineteenth century.

Who was Alfred Escher?

Alfred Escher (1819-1882) was a Zurich politician and businessman who helped build modern Switzerland. He founded financial institutions, among them Credit Suisse, along with insurance companies, and above all he drove the Gotthard railway and its tunnel through the Alps. That explains the location: the monument faces the station from which trains head south toward the Gotthard line.

What will you see?

The sculptor was Richard Kissling. A statue of Escher crowns the monument, while allegorical figures below refer to railway planning and to education. The whole ensemble is a fountain set in a basin of Swedish granite, and the bronze parts were cast by the Berlin foundry H. Gladenbeck & Sohn. The idea arose soon after Escher died in 1882, and a contract with the sculptor was signed in 1884. The monument was funded by private donations, and once it was inaugurated the city took over its upkeep.

You can walk around it and look at it from every side. The running water adds a distinctive soundtrack to this busy corner of the city.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The fountain stands between Zürich Hauptbahnhof, the ETH university and the start of Bahnhofstrasse, the city's main shopping street that runs on to Paradeplatz. Trains, trams and buses all stop here, as the square is Zurich's main transport hub. Access is free and open, and a visit takes only a few minutes, so it combines easily with a stroll down Bahnhofstrasse or a stop at the station.

When should you visit?

The monument is accessible at any hour because it stands in the open. Daylight is best for photos, when the bronze stands out against the station building. The fountain mostly runs in the warmer months.

Why is the monument debated today?

Escher is now a subject of public discussion. A University of Zurich report on the city's links to slavery found that his family owned a coffee plantation worked by enslaved people. The city launched a review of its monuments, and the Escher statue is among those to be examined, though mayor Corine Mauch has ruled out removing it outright. The site therefore also invites reflection on how a city remembers its past.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee?

No. The monument is on a public square and can be viewed free of charge at any time.

How long does a visit take?

Usually 10-15 minutes, enough to study the allegorical figures at the base and the details of the sculpture.

Who designed it and when was it completed?

Richard Kissling designed it, and it was unveiled in 1889, seven years after Escher's death.

What else is nearby?

The main station, the shops of Bahnhofstrasse, the ETH campus and Paradeplatz, which you can reach on foot along Bahnhofstrasse.