Cooling off without a lake or river: Where bathing in the fountain is and isn’t allowed

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Andri Ragettli (24) in his skis and ski gear stands on a snow-covered mountain, then takes a step and stops on the shore of Lake Zurich. She somersaults and appears seconds later in a bathing suit at the Judd fountain in Winterthur ZH. No, this isn’t a confusing hot dream, it’s the new promotional video for Switzerland Tourism’s summer campaign. With the campaign, the tourist agency wants to “bring that summer feeling to Swiss cities” and is focusing on something that’s part of the tradition in Winterthur: bathing in the fountain.

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Where is a fountain bath allowed? Blick asked in various cities in Switzerland.

There are about 80 fountains in the city of Aarau AG. A fountain paradise, so to speak, and even more so, because bathing in it is allowed. Since the wells are not very large, it is not possible to bathe here. Jens Hübner (52), Head of the Aarau Civil Engineering Office, recommends the Stadtbach canals in Rathausgasse and Metzgergasse in the old town. “Anyone who wanders through the old town and wants to cool off for a little while on the road can put their feet up in Stadtbach,” says Hübner. Between Rathausgasse and Metzgergasse there are water features for children and pets to enjoy.

Don’t feel like Aareebötle and Marzili? Then move on to the Bundesplatz. In front of the Parliament building in the middle of the Swiss capital, water fountains provide cool splashes of water. Like a lawn sprinkler, you can run or jump between the sprinklers to escape the heat. The advantage of this fountain: zero risk of drowning!

In the city on the Rhine, bathing in the fountain is allowed, but not actively encouraged. Alex Dänzer, 47, manager of operations and maintenance for public fountains in Basel, explains why: “Over the past few years, we have received numerous complaints of noise over the past few years that those who bathe in the fountain do not continue to sleep at night.” However, it is forbidden to bathe dogs as the fur can clog filters and drains. Swimming is not allowed in fountains such as Fasnachtsbrunnen because there are moving parts in the pool that could injure or damage them. The Zschokke fountain near the Wettstein Bridge is recommended.

Lucerne does not know the neighborhood: bathing in the fountains is not allowed here. The road inspectorate writes: “Fountains in the city of Lucerne are protected as historical cultural assets and may be damaged when climbing figurine fountain rods.” The agency states that its fountain pools are not designed to accommodate additional swimmer loads. The city suggests diving into Lake Lucerne for a swim.

To bathe happily in the fountain, St. Gallen is allowed. The city cautions, however, that some wells are deeper than 16 centimeters and thus pose a drowning risk. The fountain in the red square in the Bleichi district offers entertainment for young and old.

In Winterthur, where there is no larger body of water near the centre, diving into the fountain has become a ritual. On Steinberggasse in Winterthur, people sit at the fountains on hot days and shake their spirits. Just look for a discreet corner to change clothes, as the fountains are so prominent and in the middle of the street. If you prefer to be on your own, you can sit at the village well in the Veltheim district.

A protocol of the Zurich City Council states that bathing in fountains is not generally prohibited: “Spontaneous entry and splashing of water in these facilities can generally be tolerated at one’s own risk.” The city also states that the fountains were not built for washing, but for the supply of drinking water. Some fountains, such as in Lucerne, have ornate stucco work that can be damaged while climbing. Therefore, wells must be respected.

Source : Blick