Max Spring

The spring (formerly called "Steinfeld Fountain" (Steinfeldbrunn)) on the shore of the Traun River has always been known for its excellent water and was an important source of drinking water until 1883. For a while in the 19th century, the spring was nicknamed "Democrats Well", because of "suspicious activities" which apparently took place there. According to Dr. Andreas Wirl, the new tapping of the spring and the naming of it after Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico (son of Archduke Franz Karl and brother of Emperor Franz Joseph; Maximilian was executed in Mexico in 1867) was his own initiative.  Reputedly, Emperor Franz Joseph had fresh spring water brought to the imperial villa twice a day. In 1891, the fountain was thoroughly renovated and received a basin made of Portland cement. On the spring is a plaque with an originally gilded inscription and an architectonically very pleasing frame of white sandstone, which still exists. Since then, the spring has been repeatedly rebuilt and renewed, especially in 1980 (new basin) and in 2006, when a Kneipp facility was set up here (a first attempt to implement Kneipp therapies was made in 1942).

The long basin is sunk into the grown soil and has entrances on both narrow sides. Above the middle of the long side wall of the basin, on the slope side is a small temple-like structure with two framing pilasters and gables, in which there is a plaque with name and date. Below, the spring water has been flowing into the basin via a stone shell from the Lehár Villa since 1980.