Enjoyment of the game Expect the unexpected!

Water fountains, grottoes, and wells—Markus Sittikus had a complex built to amaze, entertain, and amuse his guests—a Mannerist plaything for grown-ups.

However, the Trick Fountains offer you more than just a splash of fun: you’ll experience a unique cultural gem that exists in no other form anywhere else. Figures powered by water await you, as do water-spouting deer.
Get ready for some surprises!

[Translate to Englisch:] Spiegelgrotte in den Wasserspielen

Grottoes A feast for the senses

Greek gods, mythical creatures, and optical illusions await you in the Hellbrunn Grottoes. It’s no wonder they’ve been amazing and amusing visitors for centuries.

Water machines since 1615

The water machines are located in five small grottoes and feature water-powered figures—a one-of-a-kind ensemble and a masterpiece of engineering.

Mechanical Theater Immer fleißig am Werk

The newest attraction at the waterworks was built in 1750 by Lorenz Rosenegger: 163 water-powered figures depict life in a small Baroque town, tirelessly hammering, sawing, and working. To make the work go more smoothly, an organ sets the pace—powered by water, of course.

Fountains Alles fließt

Greek and Roman mythology also plays a central role in the fountains: we encounter Eurydice, Neptune, the hunter Actaeon, and Diana, the goddess of the hunt—just as befits the Mannerist spirit of the age. The largest fountain stands directly in front of the rear of the Palace, fed by a natural spring: the Altemps Fountain, with its Star Pond and magnificent mosaics.