The Volkwinbrunnen was the only fresh water source for centuries.

Even today, it is suspected that the water in Schwalenberg runs uphill.

According to tradition, technically skilled monks of the Cistercian order, who were present at the construction of the Burghagen monastery, may have been consulted. Using a simple dipstick measurement, it was determined that the village of Schwalenberg was lower than the spring. In the beginning, there was a catch basin at the site of the Volkwinbrunnen, which was used for daily water extraction. The overflow fed a large pond located in the middle of today's market square. As there were only open fires in the buildings at the time, the risk of fire was very high, which is why the pond was primarily used as a reserve for fire-fighting water.