The Kochbrunnen is the most famous of Wiesbaden's 26 thermal springs, gushing hot, salty, iron-rich mineral water into a small ornamental basin in the centre of a square just north of the spa district. The current fountain pavilion dates from 1888 and is a fine piece of late-19th-century cast iron work. Steam rises from the basin in winter and the water is too hot to touch.
A small fountain on the side of the pavilion is set up for drinking — locals fill bottles to take home. The water has a strong mineral tang that takes getting used to. The Kochbrunnen square is also the gateway to the Bowling Green and Kurhaus complex; a five-minute walk takes you to the Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme.