At the center of the Place de l'Ancienne Douane stands the Schwendi Fountain, more than just a picturesque fountain—it is a sculptural homage to one of Alsace's most fascinating historical figures: Lazarus von Schwendi, a 16th-century general, diplomat, and winemaker.
The fountain was designed in 1898 by Auguste Bartholdi, the famous sculptor from Colmar who also created the Statue of Liberty. It honors Schwendi not only as a general who fought alongside Emperor Charles V, but also—according to local legend—as the man who introduced the Tokay grape (a variety of Pinot Gris) to Alsace after campaigns in Hungary.
The bronze statue depicts Schwendi heroically, holding a sword in one hand and a vine branch in the other—a symbolic gesture celebrating Alsace's deep winemaking traditions. This branch has fueled the romantic myth that it introduced the grape to the region, although historians today debate the veracity of this story. For locals, however, it remains a proud cultural link between Colmar and its rich winemaking heritage.
Originally, the statue stood opposite the Old Customs House (l'Ancienne Douane) to emphasize its civic and artisanal history. The entire square, with its half-timbered facades and historic merchant houses, recalls Colmar's vibrant life in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.