Planet of Peace Fountain

Tibor Bartfay / 1981

The fountain was created as part of the artistic design for the newly constructed intersection at Peace Square (now Hodža Square). The design team took a comprehensive approach to the project, involving paving the area with a square grid of granite cubes and installing street furniture, vapour jets, and concrete borders for green areas. Foremost attention was on the fountain, which was placed prominently at the centre of the square on the main axis of the palace.  

The central section of the circular fountain features a pedestal with a stainless steel sphere that represents planet Earth. Embedded in its shell is a negative relief depicting stylised doves as a symbol of peace, directly referencing the square's name at that time (Peace Square). The rim and inner wall of the basin are clad with stone. The basin incorporates several rows of nozzles that spray water at various heights towards the central structure. The water display was designed by Pavol Mikšík to form a unified and mutually supportive element with the artwork. For a long period, however, the fountain operated in only limited mode. It was comprehensively renovated in 2021, including the installation of an additional set of nozzles and centrally controlled LED lighting. During evening hours, viewers can now enjoy the interplay of dynamically changing water features, lights, and sculpture. 

NB

Research status as of 26. 04. 2023.


Authorship

Co-authorship


Years

  • 1981 – implementation
  • 2021 – modification

Type

Material

stainless steel, granite, coloured LED lights

Technique

welding, cladding, casting, moulding

Dimensions

basin diameter 20 m; object diameter 3 m

Inscription

unidentified

Condition

  • preserved, maintained
  • operational

Registration

  • Located in Monument Zone Central Urban Area, Bratislava.

Owner

  • Bratislava the Capital City of Slovakia

Administrator

  • Marianum Burial Services of the City of Bratislava

Address

Hodža Square

Location details

in front of the Presidential Palace

Plot number

21550/2

GPS

48.1485720, 17.1076510

Other works in the area

Flying Dove

Milan Pulík 1988

World Postman Fountain

Martin Lettrich 2001

Forum Hotel Cornerstone

Juraj Gavula 1988

Art-architectural design of the Forum Hotel forecourt

Julián Hauskrecht, Boris Džadoň, Dušan Krepop, Ján Polášek, Pavel Suchánek 1988