Gefion Springvandet

The Gefion Fountain is in Churchillparken, at the end of Amaliegade. From the fountain, you have a magnificent view down to the square at Amalienborg. The sculpture is situated next to the lovely natural area of Kastellet. The huge, dynamic sculpture, revealed in 1908, was created by Anders Bundgard. The story behind the fountain originates from Norse mythology, by which the Swedish king Gylfe offered the goddess Gefion as much land in Sweden as she was able to plough during one day and one night. She transformed her four sons into oxen. Gefion and the oxen did their job so well that they were able to acquire Zealand. This mighty bit of work left a huge hole in Sweden, where lake Vanern is today located. An observant person will notice on a map that the outline of Zealand matches quite well the outline of lake Vanern. In this sculpture it is Gefion, the energetic Norse goddess, who swings her whip over her sons. The backs of the oxen swell under the strain and water sprays up from behind the wheels and the plough. The water coming out of the nostrils of the oxen emphasises the dramatic action, and the power and strength the oxen put into their work.

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