Fountain and monument to "Ännchen von Tharau"

Ännchen von Tharau in Klaipėda: The Fountain That Survived War and Preserved Love

In the historical heart of Klaipėda, on Theatre Square (Teatro aikštė), directly opposite the majestic Drama Theatre building, stands one of the city's most romantic and poignant symbols – the fountain and monument to "Ännchen von Tharau" (Taravos Anikė). This monument is dedicated neither to rulers nor to soldiers, but rather to poetry, love, and loyalty.

The Legendary Love Song

The monument commemorates the Klaipėda-born poet and Professor at Königsberg University, Simon Dach (1605–1659). According to the legend, in 1636, the poet fell hopelessly in love at first sight with Anna Neander, the 17-year-old daughter of a pastor from Tharau, who was getting married to another man that very day. Dach immortalized his unrequited, bittersweet feelings in the poem "Ännchen von Tharau" ("Ann from Tharau"). Set to music, it transformed into a legendary German folk song so profoundly loved that even today, the bells of Munich's Town Hall still chime its melody.

A Turbulent History

The fountain and bronze sculpture, depicting a young, barefoot girl with a flower blossom in her hand, was erected through public donations in 1912 and crafted by Berlin sculptor Alfred Künne.

However, the turbulent upheavals of the 20th century spared only the fountain's granite basin. On the eve of World War II, in 1939, the sculpture mysteriously disappeared. A popular local legend suggests the statue was removed because her back was turned toward the theatre balcony from which Adolf Hitler gave a speech during his visit to Klaipėda – an orientation deemed disrespectful by Nazi officials.

The Homecoming

Thanks to the joint efforts and donations of Klaipėda residents and German cultural heritage enthusiasts, the monument was reborn. Recreated by Berlin sculptor Michael Haacke using archival photographs and a miniature model copy, the statue was triumphantly unveiled on November 18, 1989. The granite pedestal still bears Simon Dach’s original words in German: "Ännchen von Tharau, mein Reichthum, mein Gut, du meine Seele, mein Fleisch und mein Blut!" ("Ann from Tharau, my wealth, my good, you my soul, my flesh, and my blood!")

Today, this fountain remains a beloved gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, serving as a timeless reminder that art and love can outlast empires.