Fountain of Walcourt

The Fountain of Walcourt recalls the legend of the innkeeper of Walcourt, and the legend of the pot of Charles V. For the people of Olen in Flanders, this will be very familiar. The fountain depicts four statues of the innkeeper with different pots. Emperor Charles V passed through Walcourt and entered a tavern, asking for a drink. Because he was very thirsty, he requested a large pot. At that time, the pots were made of stone or clay, which made them heavy. The innkeeper held her hands tightly around the handle of the pot. Thus, Emperor Charles had to grasp the pot with both hands in order to take it. This was a blow to his status. Upon leaving the inn, Charles V told his servants, "Send a pot with two handles to this inn so that the next time I visit, I will at least have one handle to take the pot." Shortly thereafter, Charles V traveled through the country again via Walcourt and stopped at the tavern. He asked again for a large pot. The innkeeper had received the new pot but now gripped both handles. Surprised, Charles V looked at the pot and said to his companion, "We will send a pot with three ears. This way, I am sure there will be one handle available for me." So said, so done. The following year, he returned and requested his pot again. But now the innkeeper held the pot with three ears by two ears, and one ear towards herself. Again, the emperor had to grasp the pot with both hands. Upon leaving the tavern, he asked his followers, "Now surely send a pot with four handles."

Dromos