Take a look

The Oort Cloud in Franeker

This unusual fountain is a tribute to the world famous astronomer Jan Hendrik Oort who was born in Franeker. His hypothesis that our solar system is orbited by a cloud of billions of comet-like objects was a breakthrough in astronomy. The fountain is designed as a series of waterfalls that stream through a bowl and pour down a vertical chain of pearls into the basin below. One of the pearls is silver like the moon. Another is gold like the sun. The rest are black like the night sky. The ‘Oort cloud’ at the top of the fountain is a mist of fine droplets that float into the air, fall through a gold lattice and descend into the bowl.

Jean-Michel Othoniel

Jean-Michel Othoniel (1964) is famous for his experimental use of Italian Murano blown glass, which he uses to create brightly coloured sculptures made up of large ‘beads’. The many works he has produced for public spaces draw attention to unexpected aspects of the history of the area or city and create a spectacular display of colour and light. For the Palace of Versailles, he designed a fountain based on dance steps invented by Louis XIV.

Tip – Why not combine your visit to the Oort Cloud Fountain in Franeker with a city walk that will take you to all the sights of the city?

Here you will find The Oort Cloud Fountain

Address:: 11 fountain Oortwolk
sint martiniplantsoen 2
Franeker

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