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In the heart of Cologne's Ehrenfeld District, a unique and quirky monument stands tall - the Nose Fountain at the Town Hall. This intriguing structure, located at Venloer Straße 419, is a nod to the famous "Nasoni" fountains of Rome, with its nose-shaped taps, but with a distinctly Cologne twist.
The Nose Fountain, a layered composition of ten bronze noses stacked on a stele, was created by artists Christine Kaul, Nuith Winter, and Lyon Zabriski in 1987. The fountain is associated with joyful transgression, as it features running noses, and serves as a theatrical phenomenon that exaggerates and subverts the nose as a carrier of stories, meanings, and norms.
The Nose Fountain was initiated as a memorial to Leonard Lersch, a dog catcher known for his keen sense of smell, who was affectionately nicknamed "Läsche Nas" (Leaky Nose) due to his prominent, allegedly always dripping nose.
The fountain is a site-specific sculpture, located in front of the Ehrenfeld District Town Hall, not far from Venloer Straße. It is a place where locals and visitors alike gather, often touching the noses for good luck, a tradition similar to other Cologne statues such as the bronze figures of Tünnes and Schäl.
The Nose Fountain is a testament to the playful and interactive nature of Cologne's monuments, reflecting local folklore or civic pride, encouraging interaction from visitors and locals alike. While specific detailed historical records about the Nose Fountain at the Ehrenfeld Town Hall are not found in the provided search results, it fits within the broader local custom in Cologne of creating statues with playful elements.
The Nose Fountain is a site to behold, a symbol of Cologne's unique identity and sense of humour. It was photographed by Dörthe Boxberg and the article about it was published on 26.06.2025 by Julia Martel in issue 7/2025 of an unspecified publication. For those visiting Cologne, the Nose Fountain is a must-see, offering a glimpse into the city's rich cultural heritage and its love for the unexpected.
