Fount Of Knowledge

OLOMOUC is famous for its fountains, some dating back to the 1600s.

The story goes that when the rest of Europe was getting piped water, the city fathers of Olmütz, as it was then known, did not trust the innovation.

They insisted on keeping the city's fountains, which were inspired by the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Probably the most-photographed today, and certainly the weirdest, is Arion's fountain in the main square.

Arion's fountain

It is based on the life of Arion, a musician from the isle of Lesbos.

According to a story told by the historian Herodotus, Arion's life was saved by dolphins after he jumped overboard from a ship to escape the crew, who wanted to kill him for prizes he had won in a competition in Tarentum, Sicily.

For some reason, which the tourist board is unable to explain, two turtles - one in the water, and one nearby - were added by the sculptor.

If it all sounds like an exotic Renaissance mystery, do not be fooled - the fountain was installed in 2002.