Mermaids have long been a symbol of mystery and elegance, embodying the romance and fantasy of the sea. Incorporating a mermaid fountain into your garden or patio isn’t just about adding a water feature; it also adds an artistic touch and a touch of fantasy to your living space. In this article, we will list 20 of the most suitable mermaid fountains for garden and courtyard decoration. They are artistic, practical and ornamental, providing you with inspiration for creating a unique outdoor space.
Top 1 – Little Mermaid Statue
The “Little Mermaid” sculpture at the Carlsberg Brewery in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a half-size replica of the famous harbor sculpture The Little Mermaid, created by Paul Lauritz Rasmussen in 1937. However, this version is placed in the center of a fountain, surrounded by flowing water, adding a dynamic beauty. This sculpture not only pays homage to the original but also embodies the Carlsberg family’s long tradition of patronage of the arts, becoming a cultural highlight within the park and an extension of Copenhagen’s city symbol.
Top 2 – Nathaniel Wheeler Memorial Fountain
The Nathaniel Wheeler Memorial Fountain is located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. It was built between 1912 and 1913 and designed by the famous sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The fountain, dedicated to sewing machine manufacturer Nathaniel Wheeler, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. In the center of the fountain is a bronze mermaid. She holds a lamp globe in her right hand, a baby in her left arm, and two dolphins are wrapped around her tail, symbolizing light, life and protection. The edge of the pool is decorated with baby heads, echoing the central statue, and the composition is solemn and meaningful.
Top 3 – Mermaid Fountains at Fonte Luminosa in Lisbon
The Fonte Luminosa in Lisbon, Portugal, is a renowned public art installation, and its mermaid sculptures are one of its central attractions. The fountain’s main structure is a grand, stepped stone wall, with water cascading down from top to bottom, creating a spectacular waterfall. Four half-kneeling mermaids, each holding a spout from which a stream of water emanates, are arranged in the foreground. In the center section, mythological figures such as Triton, along with the mermaids, create a mythical and maritime atmosphere. At night, the Mermaid Fountains and sculptures are illuminated, their outlines softly outlined, and the interweaving of water and light creates a spectacular water dance.
Top 4 – Fountain of the Mermaid of Lleida (Font de la Sirena)
The Fountain of the Mermaid of Lleida (Font de la Sirena), located in Parc dels Camps Elisis in Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, is one of the region’s most iconic fountains. Originally, a “Water Nymph” statue stood on the site in 1864. Due to disrepair, it was replaced in 1982 by the current mermaid sculpture. The existing stone sculpture exudes a warm, rustic quality. It depicts an elegant mermaid, half-seated on a stone plinth, one hand holding a conch shell. Clear water flows from the conch’s mouth into a pool, creating a tranquil and romantic atmosphere. The sculpture’s delicate form, with a faint smile on her face and delicate scales on her tail, embodies a fusion of realism and decorative elements.
Top 5 – Mermaid Fountains (Country Club Plaza)
The Mermaid Fountain in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, is located in the prestigious Country Club Plaza area. The fountain was originally installed in 1930, when two Italian marble mermaid statues were purchased and placed on either side of a rectangular pool. The mermaids, holding conch shells, blew streams of water, creating a gentle arc towards the center of the pool. The Mermaid Fountains were renovated in 1968, with the original rectangular pool transformed into a trefoil shape. A central circular water curtain and a small bronze statue entitled “A Morning Prayer” were added, creating a multi-layered landscape of interplay between water, stone, and sculpture.
Top 6 – Guild of Students, University of Birmingham – Mermaid fountain
The Mermaid Fountain at the Guild of Students, University of Birmingham, built in 1961 and designed by British sculptor William Bloye, is one of the campus’ most iconic public art works. Located in the center of the courtyard in front of the Guild, the fountain is named “Mermaid Square” after the sculpture.
The fountain, constructed of bronze and stone, depicts a mermaid rising from the water. With arms outstretched and a graceful posture, she seems to greet the sky and the light. The sculpture rests on a shell-shaped stone base and is surrounded by jets that emanate from various angles, creating a dynamic waterscape.
Top 7 – Andrea’s Fountain
Located in Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, Andrea’s Fountain was created by Japanese-American artist Ruth Asawa between 1966 and 1968 and is her first large-scale public figurative sculpture. The fountain features two vivid Mermaid Fountains, one holding a baby, the other interacting with aquatic creatures. Surrounded by figures such as frogs, turtles, and lotus leaves, the sculptures are constructed entirely of bronze. Through the dynamic flow of the fountain’s water, the sculptures capture the mystery and vitality of the ocean, symbolizing the continuity of life and the bounty of nature. Asawa hoped this work would evoke a connection with the ocean and childhood fantasies, allowing viewers to experience the poetry of nature even in the urban environment.
Top 8 – Mermaid fountain, Trafalgar Square
The Mermaid Fountain in London’s Trafalgar Square is a key component of the landmark’s fountain system. Originally constructed in 1845, it was redesigned and renovated in 1948 after World War II. Sculptors William McMillan and Sir Charles Wheeler created the bronze sculptures, which depict a mermaid, a dolphin, and a sea god. The Mermaid Fountains, graceful and graceful, embraces a dolphin and a child, creating a vivid image that embodies the harmonious coexistence of humanity and the ocean. The sculptures combine flowing lines and streams, with water gushing from the mouths of the dolphin and fish, creating a dynamic curtain of water that adds a mythical atmosphere to the square.
Top 9 – La Sirena, Tortoreto Lido TE, Abruzzo, Italy
The Tortoreto Seaside Mermaid Fountain (Fontana della Sirena), located on the Tortoreto Lido in the Abruzzo region of Italy, is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Designed by artist Gabriella Martini, the sculpture was cast in bronze in 1982 by the renowned Battaglia Art Foundry in Milan.
The bronze statue depicts an elegant mermaid seated in the center of a circular pool, her arms naturally bent and raised, hands resting lightly behind her head, as if listening to the sea breeze and the sound of the waves. Her body leans back slightly, and her tail curves downward from the base, creating a fluid and powerful effect. Water gushes from the fountain’s perimeter.
Top 10 – The Mermaid Fountain on Lord Street in Southport
Southport’s Mermaid Fountain, located on the famous Lord Street, is one of the city’s most distinctive public art installations. Originally commissioned by Walter Connard between 1913 and 1914, the fountain adorned the entrance to the then-Palladium Picture Palace cinema. The bronze sculpture depicts a serene mermaid, her arms wrapped around a large fish. Water gushes from a brass spout embedded in the fish’s mouth, creating a vibrant water feature.
Top 11 – The Mermaid of Poros
The Mermaid Statue and Fountain on the Greek island of Poros is a prominent public art installation. Created in 2004 by Athens artist Giorgos Xenoulis, the sculpture is located in a pool near Poros’ harbor. Crafted from bronze, it depicts a graceful mermaid, head held high and arms outstretched, imbued with movement and tension. Her tail, tethered to the rock, combined with the water flow of the fountain, creates an atmosphere of close connection between human and ocean. As one of the most important islands in the Aegean Sea, Poros has long been intertwined with maritime culture, and this sculpture has become a symbol of the city’s spirit, representing its reverence and love for the ocean.
Top 12 – Sirena Leganés Inmaculada in Leganes, Spain
Located in the Plaza Inmaculada in Leganés, a suburb of Madrid, Spain, Sirena Inmaculada was created by Canarian artist Luis Arencibia Betancort. This bronze sculpture depicts a mermaid in a unique pose of contemplation, leaning sideways, her hands gently resting on a large seashell, as if listening to the sounds of the ocean’s depths. The bronze’s texture gleams in the sunlight, creating a sense of both calmness and vitality. The graceful curve of her tail and the detailed, lifelike scales contrast strikingly with the soft contours of the figure, embodying the harmonious union of the ocean and human fantasy.
Top 13 – Sandstone Mermaid on Cyprus
The Mermaid Statue and Amphora Fountain, located near Agia Marina Chrysochous in Cyprus, is carved from sandstone. At the fountain’s centerpiece is a mermaid statue, gracefully seated on a rocky pedestal, seemingly gazing out at the boundless Mediterranean. Surrounding the mermaid are several classical-style amphora, tilted on columns and rocks, from which gurgling water flows, evoking the scent of the sea. The entire sculpture blends mythological elements with ancient maritime trade culture, symbolizing Cyprus’s long-standing importance as a hub for shipping and cultural exchange in the Mediterranean.
Top 14- Marmaris Square Mermaid
The Mermaid at Fountain Square statue in the Turkish resort of Marmaris is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Cast in bronze, it stands before a stone waterfall in Fountain Square, depicting a mermaid seated on a rock. With her long hair draped over her shoulders, she supports herself with one hand and raises the other, as if blowing a kiss or interacting with aquatic creatures. The waterfall cascades behind her, echoing the pool in front of the statue, creating an artistic ambiance that blends movement and stillness. At night, the interplay of lights and water accentuates the statue’s dreamlike beauty.
Top 15 – The Mermaid Statue on Coco Cay in the Bahamas
This mermaid sculpture, also known as Caylana the Mermaid, is located on the resort island of Coco Cay (also known as Little Stirrup Cay) in the Bahamas. Created by American artist Kathy Spalding, the bronze sculpture stands approximately 2.7 meters tall and boasts a unique green patina that blends seamlessly with the surrounding water and reef. The sculpture depicts an elegant mermaid seated on a reef, her long hair flowing freely, her tail curving gracefully. Her eyes gaze skyward, one hand raised, supporting a flying seabird.
Top 16 – Mermaid Fountain from the Movie Splash
The Mermaid Fountain, made famous by the 1984 Hollywood classic Splash, is instantly recognizable among moviegoers. The beautifully sculpted fountain depicts a mermaid with flowing hair, a gracefully curved tail, and a slightly forward-leaning torso, exuding a gentle and mysterious expression. In the film, the fountain is a romantic gift from Madison to Allen, symbolizing their love that transcends the human and mermaid worlds. In reality, the fountain was originally made of fiberglass and used as a prop for the film.
Top 17 – Mermaid Statue in Mainz, Germany
The Mermaid Statue (Fischweiberbrunnen) in Mainz is a city fountain of extraordinary artistic interest. Created by artist Elsa Montag in the 1940s and installed around 1950 in the Gaustraße district in the heart of Mainz, the sculpture depicts a mermaid with the torso of a woman and the tail of a fish. She smiles upward, holding two small fish in her hands. Water gushes from the fish’s mouths, creating a dynamic fountain. Cast entirely in bronze, the surface has acquired an elegant patina from age.
Top 18 – Syrenka Mermaid of Warsaw
The Syrenka Mermaid of Warsaw is one of the most important symbols of the Polish capital, appearing on the city’s coat of arms and numerous public artworks. Legend has it that the mermaid swam from the Baltic Sea into the Vistula River, captivated by Warsaw’s scenery, and swore to protect the city. One of the city’s most iconic sculptures is the 1939 bronze statue by sculptor Ludwika Nitschowa, located in the Powiśle district on the Vistula River. Standing approximately 2.75 meters tall, it depicts a warrior mermaid with the torso of a woman and the tail of a fish. She holds a sword in her right hand and a shield in her left, her posture firm and powerful, symbolizing protection and courage.
Top 19 – Mermaid Fountains and sculptures of Norfolk
The Norfolk Mermaid is a signature sculpture in the “Mermaids on Parade” public art project in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. The project began in 1999 with a basic mold designed by artist Kevin Gallup. Various artists and institutions subsequently added their own creative touches, transforming the mermaid into a unique symbol of this coastal city.
The stainless steel mermaid fountain sculpture, located in Town Point Park, was created by Mark Leichliter in 2009. Its slender, flowing form evokes the mermaid’s graceful, swimming presence.
Top 20 – Mermaid Fountain-KohPich
This set of fountain sculptures is located on Koh Pich (Diamond Island) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Crafted from bronze, it depicts two mermaids, each depicting a mermaid. The Mermaid Fountains meticulously capture the scaly texture of a fish’s tail and the graceful curves of a woman’s body. One mermaid embraces a dolphin, symbolizing harmony between humanity and nature; the other, surrounded by blooming flowers, conveys the meaning of life and beauty. The sculptures stand atop shells and a pool of water, creating an elegant and romantic composition that evokes a magical marine atmosphere.
Conclusion
Mermaid fountains, as decorative features in gardens and courtyards, not only add a water feature but also enhance the overall artistic atmosphere. From classic to modern, a variety of designs embody different aesthetics and ambiances. Choosing the right style can add character and depth to your outdoor space.
If you’re looking for a personalized mermaid fountain, Arturban offers custom services in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles, making your garden or courtyard uniquely yours.
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