Fuente de la Cibeles a Madrid

The purpose behind this construction was to provide Madrid citizens with an amusement site, rich of fountains and gardens.The chosen place was an area near Prados de san Jerònimo a Atocha,also called Prado Viejo .

According to the project, in this place three fountains were supposed to be raised, one of those was the Cibele fountain, the other two making up the amazing complex are those of Neptune and Apollo.

Located in one of the most beautiful squares of the world, not only for this monument but for the beauty of the surroundings, the fountain was designed by Ventura Rodrìguez in 1777, under the kingdom of Charles III.
The fountains represents Cibele, Goddess of the earth fertility,, who stands on a carriage dragged by two lions. According to mythology, the lions correspond to the figures of Ippomene and Atlanta, who were punished by Aphrodite and forced to drag the carriage for good.

Both the goddess and lions figures have been engraved in the violet marble coming from the village of Montesclaros, and the remaining elements with stones of Reduena, a mountain area north of Madrid.

The monumental complex was first placed in 1782 in Peseo de Recoletos close to the Buenavista Palace, and was lately moved to the current site.
Today the fountain is surrounded by huge buildings, like the Buenavista Palace, Linares Palace, also known as Casa de America, the telecommunications and Post office building, and the Bank of Spain..
From here one can also enjoy one of the finest views over the Alcalà Door, Paseo del Prado and Calle Alcalà..

Fuente de la Cibeles
Plaza de Cibeles,
Madrid

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Places not to miss in Madrid:

» The Royal Palace

» Plaza Mayor

» National Museum Prado

» National library

» Art center Reina Sofia

» Almudena Cathedral

» Casa de la Villa

» Metropòlis

» Fuente de la Cibeles

» Thyssen-Bornemisza museum

» Palacio de Cristal

» Plaza de la Villa

» Plaza de Oriente

» Plaza Monumental de las Ventas

» Puerta de Alcalá

» Puerta del Sol

» Templo de Debot

With more Time

» Banco de España

» Cason del Buon Retiro

» La Casa de Postas

» Real Casa de Aduanas

» Convent of San Idelfonso de Trinitarias Descalzas

» Fuente de Apolo a Madrid

» Fuente de Neptuno

» Iglesia Colegiata de San Isidro

» Muralla de Madrid

» Palacio del Congreso

» Palacio del Senado

» Puente de Segovia

» Puente de Toledo

» Puerta de Toledo

» Sociedad general de Autores a Madrid

Surroundings of Madrid