While officials hailed the fountain's "extraordinary, reality-inspired" design for skilfully conveying a pivotal "sense of togetherness", critics took issue with its artistic properties, venting their anger online
A fountain in Austria's capital commemorating 150 years of Vienna's modern water system has drawn fierce criticism for its perceived "ugliness" and excessive costs.
The 1.8-million-euro ($1.9-million) fountain was commissioned by the city's left-wing government led by Social Democrat Mayor Michael Ludwig and inaugurated with President Alexander Van der Bellen on October 24.