According to legend, in 836, when the relics of Saint Liborius were being transported from Le Mans to Paderborn, a peacock flew ahead of the envoys to show them the way. When the clergy received the relics on the Liboriberg outside the city, the peacock paused in mid-flight until the ceremonial procession into the cathedral began. Then it sat on the cathedral. As soon as the cathedral was entered, the peacock fell dead to the ground. In later years, in memory of this, a peacock's tail was carried in front of the Libori shrine. And in the cloister, this fountain commemorates the peacock legend.
In Paderborn Cathedral, a deep, cool well wells up, the Pader, from which the city takes its name. The well was probably built as a domestic well to provide water for the various liturgical services and as a general water supply. Possibly it would even be built over a spring, which would provide pure spring water.
The fountain is not listed in the plans of the first construction stages of the cathedral. Only with the erection of the chapels - mainly in the 14th century - does he appear in drawings - but without a name. Today's fountain room was probably initially part of the neighboring angel chapel. Later, the fountain area was separated from the chapel and was given access both from inside the cathedral from Hasenkamp and from outside via a staircase on the north side of the cathedral. If you look at the masonry inside the chapel and its connection to the surrounding walls, it becomes clear that the dividing wall to the angel chapel was added later. The pictures on the outside also show that the full height of the stairs and the opening to the outside were added later.
In an older drawing, the fountain is referred to as "Dompaderbrunnen". This supports the assumption of an underground water vein directly below the well. Pictures show that the two fountains to the east of the Paderborn Imperial Palace are exactly in line with the cathedral fountain.
There is an old legend associated with the "Dompaderbrunnen":
Treasures of gold and precious stones that are worth more than the entire Paderborn region rest in the well below. However, no one is able to lift her, for a heavy spell has kept her captive from time immemorial. But also a stone image of the Mother of God rests in the depths below. Magic has no power over this, and anyone who knows the right words and the right time can pull out the image. But when the picture is raised, all imaginable happiness will come to the house, town and country where it is.
Translated by Google •
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