Holy Trinity Statue — Attraction in Timișoara

This is a review of the historical fountain situated near the statue.

CONTEXT

During the Austrian-Ottoman war, Eugeniu de Savoya conquered Timişoara in 1716. The city started its evolution from a fortress to an economical and industrial nexus, recording an unprecedented growth in population. The city’s new administration became increasingly preoccupied with the construction of a water sanitation system. The pest epidemics and cholera outbreaks during the 18th century greatly contributed to this decision.

In 1732 a hydraulic machinery was built in Fabric district, and was upgraded to a water tower in 1774. Representing a technical masterpiece of the times, this water tower was featured on the city’s first coat-of-arms.

From this tower, the water was distributed to the city through a system of wooden conduits which supplied the water to a network of drinking fountains. One such fountain was erected in Unirii Square around 1780.

During the siege of 1849 the tower and the water distribution system suffered a high degree of damage, and access to clean water became a big problem. In parallel with trying to find a solution for a new water distribution system, the administration ordered the drilling of fountains in strategical parts of the city.

FACTS

In 1890 the administration commissioned the drilling of a fountain in Unirii Square to Iulius Seidl from Vrsac, drilling expert. After four years of drilling to a depth of 406 m, in 1894 the fountain was finally ready. The authorities deemed the water “undrinkable”, due to its high temperature and high content of iron and other minerals. Nevertheless, the fountain quickly became a favorite of the people of Timisoara, who believed the water had many medicinal properties, especially in treating heartburn disease.

In 1986, a new fountain was drilled at approximately the same location. The depth was 206 m and the water source was a different one. In 2004, due to the decay of the equipment, another fountain was drilled at the same depth. This is the existent fountain; the mineral content is still high, although not as high as the predecessor’s.

In 2015, the exterior of the fountain was renovated as we see it today, as part of the renovation process of the whole Unirii Square.

DATA SOURCES:

Wikipedia - Timisoara Alimentarea cu apa a Timisoarei - Vlaicu, Hategan Forarea de noi fantani publice, document primarie...

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