Mayor Robert Relich:
Due to its technical condition and residents’ safety, after seeking expert advice, we decided to dismantle the ceramic pot in Nowogrodziec. The fountain, which is a favorite spot in the center of our town, will be preserved.
A little history
Nowogrodziec Municipal Office:
In 1933, to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the founding of Nowogrodziec, 24-year-old Jerzy Buchwald, the son of a local potter, created a pot from locally mined clay with a capacity of 8,702 liters and a height of 3.34 meters.
The 2013 pot
The present structure was unveiled on August 18, 2013. Construction work lasted several months. The design was prepared and executed by the late Andrzej Trzaska, a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław and a painter living in Gdańsk. He was assisted by visual artist Barbara Bednarowicz. The individual elements of the pot were fired at Ceramika Przyborsk in Gierałtów, then assembled, glued and reinforced. A second firing took place after glazing. The sculpture is 3.3 meters high, while its total height is 5 meters. Water, sewage and lighting installations were placed in the plinth.
In modern times, despite several attempts in Bolesławiec and Nowogrodziec, none of the ceramic artists has managed to meet the ceramic challenge. The ceramic works and craftsmanship of potters Johann Joppe and August Franke from centuries ago will remain unbeaten for the time being.
What do you think? Will you miss the pot? We invite you to join the discussion.