18/07/2013
Mandusevac is a fountain (well) on Zagreb’s Central Square of ban Josip Jelačić. In the past, it was a natural water source which legends tie to the founding of the city.
In the late 19th century, the source was buried while the the square being paved. In 1986, during renovation of the main square for the Summer Universiade, it was discovered that the water source still exists below the ground, so a fountain was constructed on its place.
So, the 19th century fountain was excavated in September of 1986, and its discovery was from the very beginning followed by sensational and highly allegorical newspapers reports. It was "the spring of life", "the well of hope", "the historical tap", with the "martyr's historical fate", because, after being built in 1852, the beautiful founttain with candelabrum was in 1892 leveled to the ground.
Both its building and its "burial" was due to Franz Jozef's visit to a little town in the province of his Empire. In honour to his first arrival the fountain was decorated with a candelabrum, bought for this occasion in the World Exhibition in London.
Many years later it was in such a bad condition that it had to dissapear - in the Emperor's honour again.
It is extraordinary how the existence of this fountain had continually depended on, let's call it, hospitality phenomenom.
It is a common belief that dropping a coin in Mandusevac will make your wish come true. On the other hand, another idea in circulation is that drinking water from the fountain puts a spell on you which makes it impossible to forget Zagreb for the rest of your life :) .
www.experiencezagreb.com
