Artichoke Fountain / Fuente de la Alcachofa - Madrid, Spain
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N 40° 24.925 W 003° 41.050
30T E 441954 N 4474090
Artichoke Fountain (Fuente de la Alcachofa) one of the highlights of the Buen Retiro Park (Parque del Buen Retiro) in Madrid.
Waymark Code: WMPXQ0
Location: Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
Date Posted: 11/06/2015
Views: 14
This fountain was built during the reign of king Carlos III, in 1781, by the architect Ventura Rodriguez. It is located in the Retiro Park, at Plaza de Honduras.
Before it was located at Plazuela de Anton Martin and then moved to Plaza de Atocha in 1880. Now there is a copy of this fountain, as they did not want to move it again.
Plaza de Atocha, the real name of the square is Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, was very popular in the XVIIIth century as many visitor entered the city through this place. There were two train stations, Mediodia and Delicias.
The fountain is made of granite and white stone. On the top is a bronze artichoke from which water flows down onto a cup made of leaves. Below are four children or cherubs located on a second cup with vegetal decoration inside.
The fountain was made in 1781 following a design by Ventura Rodriguez. The sculptors were made by Antonio Primo and Alfonso Giraldo Bergaz.
The plants symbolize life. The artichoke was a considered a ver healthy vegetable and frequently used in Oriental decorations. Artichoke and pineapple look quite similar and both are considered as symbols of fertility. Water is also another symbol of fertility.
Artichoke fountainUnder the second cup, two sculptures holding the coat of arms. One represents Triton, a god of the seas, half human half fish. He is Neptunus´son. He blew a conch in order to calm the waves. Triton can be represented as a man with a fish tail, but also with the bust like a horse.
Next to Triton is a Nereida, a nymph. The Nereidas were daughters of a Greek god that dominated the Aegean Sea. The sailors always asked them for help if they were in danger. They lived in the ocean and used to spin with golden spinning wheels. They are represented sitting on dolphins or other sea animals.
Behind Triton and the Nereida is a relief representing the autumn.
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