42 Peace Fountains Around the World

Right click image to enlarge.

1865 - Buxton Memorial Fountain, Victoria Tower Gardens, Millbank, Westminster, London (England). "Commemorates the emancipation of slaves in 1834. Erected by Charles Buxton, MP [1823-1871], & dedicated to his father Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton [1786-1845]. Also to abolitionists William Wilberforce, Thomas Clarkson, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Henry Brougham & Stephen Lushington. Designed by Gothic architect Samuel Sanders Teulon [1812-1873]... Originally in Parliament Square, removed in 1940 & moved to its present position in 1957."

1873 - "Angel of the Waters," Bethesda Fountain, Central Park, New York City, New York (USA). Sculpted by Emma Stebbins [1815-1882], the first woman to receive a commission for a major work of art in New York City. "The definitive crown jewel of Central Park. One of the most famous and universally loved fountains in the world. The only sculpture commissioned as part of the original design of the Park. Symbolizes and celebrates the purifying of the city’s water supply when the Croton Aqueduct opened in 1842 bringing fresh water to all New Yorkers. For this reason she carries a lily, the symbol of purity in one hand while her other hand extends outward as she blesses the water below. The idea comes from the Gospel of Saint John, Chapter 5, the story of an angel bestowing healing powers on the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem. Beneath the eight-foot gilded bronze statue are four smaller four-foot figures symbolizing Temperance, Purity, Health, and Peace."

July 17, 1878 - Civil War Fountain, US highways 11 & 30, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (USA). "15,000 people braved 94-degree heat for the ceremony and a 2-hour parade. Women of the community raised money for the fountain, more of a monument to peace than the martial monument that the men wanted. A compromise was struck with the inclusion of a statue of a soldier facing south against another invasion by Confederates."

1893 - Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, Piccadilly Circus, London (England). Statue on top is commonly called "Eros." Actually "the god pictured is Eros’ younger brother, Anteros, who represents completed or returned love. Because of the fuss that was created because of its nudity & supposed frivolity, it was almost immediately re-named 'The Angel of Christian Charity.' The fountain is dedicated to the noted philanthropist & social reformer Lord Shaftesbury [1621-1683]. He reformed the lunacy, labor & child labor laws & was on the board of governors of the 'ragged schools' which educated the poor. Lord Shaftesbury is honored (under his given name of Anthony Ashley-Cooper) together with William Wilberforce [1759-1833] on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church on 30 July for his witness against slavery." /// This is "Monday's Monument" #119.

About August 28, 1913 - Peace Fountain, Peace Palace, The Hague (Netherlands).

September 14, 1929 - Peace Fountain, Amsterdam Park, St. Clair Avenue W at Avenue Road, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Inscribed: "[Replica of] the fountain at [the Peace] Palace, The Hague. Presented by H.H. Williams... as a mark of his love [for peace]."

October 30, 1913 - Tribute to Women, back side of Peace Monument (qv), SW corner, Courthouse Square, Decatur, Adams County, Indiana (USA). Has bas relief sculpture of a nurse bandaging a wounded soldier, above a fountain (waterfall) behind which was mounted a fragment of the USS Maine (sunk in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898). Inscription: "To the women of our nation, as a tribute to their courage, devotion and sacrifice." May be restored for the monument's centennial in 2013. Left photo by EWL 29Jul09. Right photo from 1935.

1921 - Fountain, DuPont Circle, Washington, DC (USA). Features carvings of three classical figures symbolizing the sea, the stars and the wind. Designed by Daniel Chester French [1850-1931] and architect Henry Bacon, the co-creators of the Lincoln Memorial. Inscribed "Erected by the Congress of the United States." Replaced an 1884 statue of Samuel Francis Du Pont [1803-1865] recognizing his service as a rear admiral during the Civil War. (The statue was moved to Rockford Park in Wilmington, Delaware.)

1922 - Fountain of Time, Midway Plaisance Park, Cottage Grove Avenue, Washington Park, Chicago, Illinois (USA). Commemorates century of peace between Great Britain & the US. Sculptor Lorado Taft [1860-1936] took 14 years to complete what was called the "largest single group of statuary in existence." Entry #270 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

June 12, 1930 - Shrine Peace Memorial, Exposition Park, 2 Strachan Avenue, Toronto, Onatrio (Canada). "Presented to the people of Canada by Imperial Potentate, Noble Leo V. Youngworth, on behalf of the 600,000 members of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) to commemorate the peaceful relationships existing for over a century between Canada and the United States." Entry #1333 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

May 30, 1939 - "Peace" Fountain, Pulteney Park, Geneva, South Main Street, New York (USA). "White marble sculpture of a full-length female, on one knee while seated thrusting a Hoplite sword into the ground, allegorically symbolizing the cessation of hostilities. Inscribed 'Erected to the memory of Geneva Patriots who served our Nation in her wars that Freedom might remain our Most Cherished Heritage.' Created by Jean MacKay Henrich [1909-2002] who was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, graduate of Antioch College & University of Buffalo, studied in Vienna & Paris. head of the Sculpture Department at Art Institute of Buffalo." Carved by Georgia Marble Company of Tate, Georgia. Replaced when veining appeared on the sculpture's face & upper body. Original pink marble carving is displayed in West Jefferson County, North Carolina (since relocated). Also called "Veterans Memorial Fountain" & "The Lady of the Lake."

May 1940 - "The Wedding of the Waters," Aloe Plaza (opposite railway station), St. Louis, Missouri (USA). Symbolizes the Missouri & Mississippi Rivers merging just North of St. Louis. Unveiled to a crowd of about 3000 people, the fountain caused a local uproar because of its playful, irreverent, naked & nearly cartoonish figures, and because Swedish sculptor Carl Milles [1875-1955] had conceived the group as a wedding party with undeniable sexual overtones. The city insisted that the name be changed to "The Meeting of the Waters."

1954 - "Friendship of Nations" Fountain, All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVTs), Moscow (Russia). "The VVTs was foundated at 1939 as agricaltural exhibition of Soviet Union. The Fountain has gilded statues of maidens in the national costumes of the sixteen Soviet republics demurely encircle a golden wheat sheaf."

Date? - International Fountain of Peace, Moscow (Russia).

1956 - "Life out of chaos," Narvik (Norway). Also known as "The woman on the square." One of three peace sculptures in Narvik. Dedicated in 1956, 1995 and 2006. Narvik is known as a city of peace.

1964 - Peace Arising from the Flames of War, Fountain of Eternal Life, Veterans’ Memorial Plaza, Cleveland, Ohio (USA). 46-foot sculpture by Marshall Fredericks [1908-1998] which took 19 years to complete. Surrounded by four carved blocks of granite representing the four corners of the earth. Also known as "War Memorial Fountain" and "Peace Memorial Fountain."

August 1969 - International Fountain of Peace, Nagasaki Peace Park (south end), Nagasaki (Japan). "Constructed...as a prayer for the repose of the souls of the many atomic bomb victims who died searching for water, and as a dedication to world peace. Lines from a poem by Sachiko Yamaguchi, who was nine at the time of the bombing, are carved on a black stone plaque in front of the fountain: 'I was thirsty beyond endurance. There was something oily on the surface of the water, but I wanted water so badly that I drank it just as it was.'"

Date? - Peace Fountain, Grassalkovich Palace, Hodzovo Square, Bratislava (Slovakia). The square is locally called Mierove Namestie / Peace Square.

1970 - "La paix / Peace," Place de la Metropole, Geneva (Switzerland). By Jean-Pierre Pérusset. "A rather large piece of art, set in a fountain (with many spouts). It is attractive & in a little spot for pedestrians, between two busy roads. Next to the imposing Swissôtel Genève Métropole with the Place des Florentins on the other side." Information courtesy of Peter van den Dungen 06Nov12.

1982 - Bicentennial Friendship Fountain, Sterns Wharf, base of State Street, Santa Barbra, Calfornia (USA). Sculpted by local artist James (Bud) Bottoms.

1987 - Fuente de los Delfines / Fountain of the Dolphins, Malecon, Puerto Vallarta (Mexico). Sculpted by James (Bud) Bottoms in sister city Santa Barbara, California (USA). Visited by EWL.

1983? - Peace Fountain, Showa National Memorial Park, Tachikawa, Tokyo (Japan). "Depicts a young family, parents and two children, releasing doves into the sky. It is meant to symbolize our sincere hope for world peace. To see the statue, you should enter the park from the Tachikawa gate." Opened in 1983, the park had been a military airfield until 1977.

1985 - Peace Fountain, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, Morningside Heights, New York City, New York (USA). By Greg Wyatt, sculptor-in-residence at the Cathedral. "The sculpture depicts the struggle of good and evil, as well as a battle between the Archangel Michael and Satan. The sculpture also contains the Sun, the Moon, and several animals. Although it is called a fountain, there is currently no water on the site." Entry #732 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001).

1985 - Fountain, Peace Gardens, Sheffield (England). "Sheffield Town Hall is at the heart of the city & its beautiful architecture is complemented by the adjacent Peace Garden fountains & moden art sculptures." /// "The Gardens were first laid out in 1938, following the demolition of St Paul's Church. Originally named St Paul's Gardens, they were immediately nicknamed the "Peace Gardens", marking the contemporary signing of the Munich Agreement [signed by Germany (Hitler), France (Dedalier), the United Kingdom (Chamberlain) & Italy (Mussolini) on 30 September 1938]. The Gardens were originally intended to be replaced by an extension to the Town Hall, but due to World War II, this was never built. In 1985, the space was formally renamed the 'Peace Gardens.' The Sheffield gardens are a fine example of the network of similar gardens created between the two world wars & presage later gardens & community spaces in London & other urban centres."

1986 - War Memorial Fountain, Fieldhouse Mall (south end of North Quad), University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana (USA). Eight immense monoliths & four lintels, one of which is inscribed "Pro Patria et Pace." Also called "Clarke Peace Memorial" and "Stonehenge." Designed by Notre Dame trustee John Henry Burgee & Philip C. Johnson [1906-2005]. Inscription on adjacent plaque: "War Memorial Fountain erected through the generosity of Maude C. and John W. Clarke Chicago, Illinois. In memory of the Notre Dame men who gave their lives in World War II, Korea, Vietnam. May they rest in peace" Inscription on second plaque: "About 500 Notre Dame alumni gave their lives for their country and peace in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. In memorializing them, we join our prayers to their supreme sacrifice as we inscribe this column Pro Patria et Pace. For Our Country and Peace. This is our prayer that all living Notre Dame men and women dedicate themselves to the service of their country and world peace. -- Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., President, University of Notre Dame, 1986 A.D." Visited by EWL 29Jul09.

1989 - Civil Rights Memorial (fountain), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Montgomery, Alabama (USA). By Maya Lin. A memorial to 40 people who died between 1954 (year of Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education) and 1968 (year of Martin Luther King's assassination.) Civil Rights Memorial Center (CRMC) added in 2005.

1992 - Charlie Brooks Memorial Peace Fountain, Peace Park, Detroit River, Windsor, Ontario (Canada). At former Coventry Gardens. Charles Brooks [1915–1977] was born in Windsor & grew up during the Great Depression. He witnessed first-hand the devastation that Windsor citizens endured at that time time, and these experiences caused him to become a labour union activist & first president of United Auto Workers Local 444. He was assassinated by an upset employee of Chrysler Motors." Entry #1342 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001). Visited by EWL.

1993 - "Revelations" [Fountain], Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco, California (USA). "Fountain & waterfall 50 feet high and 20 feet wide which cascades over Sierra granite. Iincludes back-lit photos from the civil rights movement and twelve shimmering glass panels set in granite and inscribed with Dr. King's inspiring words. Third largest MLK, Jr., memorial after King memorials in Atlanta, Georgia, & Wshington, DC."

August 1993 - Dalton Trumbo Fountain Court, University Memorial Center (UMC), Colorado University (CU), Boulder, Colorado (USA). Named for Dalton Trumbo [1905-1976] the blacklisted author and CU alumnus who stood up to Senator Joe McCarthy's House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1947. "Free-speech area" for campus events such as speeches and rallies. Rehabilitated in 2003. Visited by EWL.

1995 - Peace Flame & Fountain, Cornerstone of Peace, Okinawa Peace Park, Okinawa (Japan). The bottom of the fountain is a map of the Pacific.

September 5, 1995 - Liberation Square, St. Helier (Isle of Jersey). "Developed to mark the 50th Anniversary of Jersey's Liberation. To the north of the square stands the Pomme D’Or Hotel, which was used by the Nazis as their Headquarters during the Occupation. The hotel's original balcony was the focal point for celebrations when the island was liberated by British forces on May 9, 1945. At the centre of the square is Philip Jackson’s sculpture depicting a group [of 7 figures] holding the Union Flag at the centre of a fountain. Twelve water jets in the pool symbolise Jersey's 12 parishes. As the island celebrated "Liberation 60" on May 9 2005, Surgeon Captain McDonald, the man who originally draped the Union Flag from the Harbour Office in 1945 (now the Jersey Tourism Office), again unfurled Great Britain's colours from the same window as he had 60 years previously. It was also from the rear of the Tourism Office that in 1942 over 1,000 people were deported to civilian internment camps in Germany. Most of the deportees were destined to be held at the Bad Wurzach camp in southern Germany for the remainder of the war. Today, St. Helier is twinned with Bad Wurzach & participates in a programme of cultural visits & exchanges designed to promote friendship, understanding & reconciliation. A plaque can be seen on the Esplanade (northern) side of the building commemorating this event." Information courtesy of Prof. Jeffrey Jackson 16Oct17.

1996 -- International Peace Fountain, Woodruff Park, Five Points, Peachtree Street and Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Includes "Phoenix Rising from the Ashes" by Gamba Quirino (1967). "Commemorates Atlanta’s pivotal role in the world wide human and civil rights movement." Created in time for the Olympic Games in the Summer of 1996. Visited by EWL.

October 24, 1998 - J. William Fulbright Peace Fountain, Old Main, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA). Designed by Fay Jones & Maurice Jennings. Fulbright was president of this university. As US Senator, he chaired the Committee on Foreign Relations. Entry #28 in the "Peace Movement Directory" by James Richard Bennett (2001). Visited by EWL.

November 2000 - Synagogue Memorial, "Synagogenplatz," Gartenstrasse, Tübingen (Germany). At site of Tübingen's former synagogue. From the large metal box to the metal column on the street, there is a narrow channel for water to flow under metal plates bearing the names of victims and down this simple waterfall in the foreground. Commemorates not only the building and its destruction, but also all the Jews of Tübingen who were murdered in the Holocaust. The synagogue was burned down during the Reichskristallnacht of November 9, 1938. Tübingen Nazis threw the Torah rolls into the Neckar, arrested five Jews and sent them to Dachau, and set the synagogue ablaze. After the war, Tübingen courts sentenced three of those involved to prison terms of 20 to 32 months. Info & Image courtesy of Mark Hatlie. Visited by EWL.

July 4, 2002 - Phoenix Peace Fountain, Coleraine, County Londonderry (Northern Ireland). A beautiful gesture to Northern Ireland from many people and organizations here in the United States. It reminds me of the Statue of Liberty we received from France. It would be nice if nations recognized the accomplishments, the progress, of other countries toward peace and freedom more often. That fountain is a constant reminder to the people of Northern Ireland that although we are not just beyond the heather, but afar beyond a very broad pond, our hearts are with all the people of Northern Ireland."

January 1, 2003 - World Peace Prayer Fountain, Fayetteville Town Center, Fayetteville, Arkansas (USA). Sculpted by Hank Kaminsky. Huge globe with "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in 100 languages is continually bathed in water and easily turned by hand.

2003 - Plac Przyjazni / Friendship Square, Slubice (Poland). Left image shows fountain. Right image shows Hotel & Restaurant "ANKA" in background. Slubice is on the Oder River immediately opposite Frankfurt-an-der-Oder (Germany). Both photos by EWL 5-6 September 2013.

2005 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Globe, Cultural Plaza, Lake Worth, Florida (USA). "Designed in 2003 & completed in 2005. Original project was organized by the Lake Worth Kiwanis Club, & donations came from a variety of sources... The globe never worked as intended. Residents could manually spin the Globe, but it did not spin on its own, as originally designed. The instillation lacked a filter cartridge, causing the water to become dirty over time. Undersized plumbing & faulty pipes, among other flaws, contributed to the problem. All of these problems were addressed in the recent repairs... Quotes on each side of the Globe’s pedestal, by Martin Luther King Jr., have been re-etched for increased clarity. One side reads, 'We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. Sooner or later all people of the world will have to discover a way to live together in peace.' Additionally, the entire Globe has been re-etched adding definition to all of the seven Continents."

November 8, 2005 - Parkdale World Peace Monument & Fountain, next to Parkdale branch, Toronto Public Library, 1303 Queen Street West, Parkdale, Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Globe designed by Peter Dykhuis.

April 25, 2009 - Vietnamese Boat People Monument, Westminster, Orange County, California (USA). Memorializes the tens of thousands who died in the high seas as they tried to escape communist Vietnam after the Fall of Saigon in April 1975. Built by Cam Ai Tran and Hap Tu Thai who escaped from Vietnam in 1979 by a boat which capcized, forcing them to swim ashore near Hai Nam Island in the South China Sea.

June 23, 2014 - Water Feature (Fountain) at National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Inscribed "FOR TO BE FREE IS NOT MERELY TO CAST OFF ONE'S CHAINS BUT TO LIVE IN A WAY THAT RESPECTS AND ENHANCES THE FEEEDOM OF OTHERS. Nelson Mandela." & "NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. Margaret Mead." Designed by Larry Kirkland of Washignton, DC. At that point, the Center stands at 72 feet with the 32-foot-high sculpture acting as a gateway to the project. “It’s in scale,” executive director Doug Shipman said. “It actually has a nice relationship in proportion to the building.”

March 15, 2015 - Peace Icon, Peace Square, Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt). "The height of the icon about 34.5 meters, 26.5 meters height height net, and display the wings 24 meters, flanked Baloiconh Fountain 35 meters in diameter, with about 47 water nozzle out of different heights reaches a height of 16 meters in a spiral,Peace icon is a memorial Peace Park mediates amounting to 36 thousand square meters at the entrance of Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport & the Dahab & the ring road to the city of Sharm El Sheikh. Icon is designed in the form of clusters of black granite bearing the lotus leaf topped eight inspired by the wings of the wings of [Egyptian sun god] Ra carry globe diameter of 10 meters on the world map of stainless steel, the specific location of Egypt in gold & fly above the bathroom that holds an olive branch symbol of peace, & suggests eight wings to the main directions, north & south, east & west-east & north-west & north-east & south-west & the south. It was taking into account the work of the restaurant parking adorned the entrance to the courtyard in front of the icon is surrounded by palm trees & designed light-curve directs visitors to the walkway around the fountain. Icon established and designed in the hands of an Egyptian symbol of peace was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest & longest metal work of art in the world" [sic]. /// "Sharm el-Sheikh is sometimes called the 'City of Peace,' referring to the large number of international peace conferences that have been held there."