What King Ludwig I once commissioned now has to be renovated at great expense: the historic shell fountains in front of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) are currently hidden behind high metal walls in order to be freed from limescale and layers of paint for four weeks. The two fountains were built shortly after the completion of the university building between 1840 and 1844 according to the plans of the architect Friedrich von Gärtner in the classical style. Gärtner was inspired by the fountains in St. Peter’s Square in Rome.
The fountains are now cleaned free of charge by the Kärcher company as part of their cultural sponsorship. A high-pressure technique with up to 1000 bar water pressure is used to remove the old 15 layers of paint. The fountain was originally colored gold, but for many decades the fountains have had a green color, which will be restored after the renovation, says Matthias Fahrmeir, head of the LMU’s Real Estate and Technology department. The people of Munich are used to this color.
The fountains are surrounded by metal structures.
(Photo: Robert Haas)
The unusual scaffolding around the fountains serve to make all areas accessible for the renovation and they are also intended to protect passers-by from splashing water and flaking layers of paint and lime, says a spokesman for Kärcher. During the refurbishment, lines, pumps and pipes will also be replaced and the natural stone and metal will be restored. The Kärcher spokesman said the last “comprehensive measures” were taken in 1958. All work should be completed by October.