The Power of Art revealed in Madrid’s Fountain of Cibeles
This article is part of the Art category on my blog, where I explore how different art pieces can train your eye to notice more beauty in everyday life.
As a photographer specialising in macro photography, I’ve learned that beauty often hides in the small, quiet details: the textures, shapes, and moments we usually rush past. That same mindset can be applied to nature, and to the art and architecture that surround us in our daily environments. One powerful example of this is the Cibeles Fountain in Madrid.
If you ever walk through the heart of Madrid, Spain there’s no way you’ll miss the Cibeles Fountain. It’s one of the city’s most iconic spots. Built in the late 1700s, this beautiful fountain was originally designed by Ventura Rodríguez, a famous Spanish architect, who worked on many public works in Madrid during the reign of King Charles III. The main idea of this fountain is to celebrate Cybele, the Roman goddess of fertility and nature. She’s the majestic lady you see riding a chariot pulled by two lions.
Back then, the fountain wasn’t meant to be a tourist attraction, it was actually part of the city’s water supply. But over time, it became way more than that. Today, it sits proudly between some major buildings like the Palacio de Cibeles and the Bank of Spain.
Intersting facts about Cibeles Fountain in Madrid Spain
Sculpted in Stone
The fountain is made from white marble from Montesclaros (Toledo) and limestone from Redueña, both regions in central Spain.
Three Artists, One Vision
Although Ventura Rodríguez designed it, the sculpture was created by Francisco Gutiérrez (who sculpted the figure of Cybele) and Roberto Michel (who crafted the lions). The chariot was sculpted by Miguel Ximénez.
Originally Located Elsewhere
The fountain wasn’t always at its current location. It was originally placed closer to the Buenavista Palace, and was moved to the center of Plaza de Cibeles in 1895 to improve traffic flow and visibility.
Functional Water Source
In its early days, the fountain wasn’t just decorative, it served as a public water source where people would collect water for daily use.
The Lions Have a Mythological Origin
The two lions pulling the chariot represent mythological characters: Hippomenes and Atalanta, who were turned into lions by the gods as punishment.
Water Supply Engineering
The fountain’s original water came from the part of an advanced water infrastructure system developed under King Charles III, who was known for modernizing Madrid.
In a fast-moving world, it’s easy to pass by even the grandest works of art without a second glance. When we take the time to slow down,by looking through a camera lens or simply pausing mindfully, we begin to see more: the intention behind a sculpture, the story carved into stone, the quiet poetry expressed through its design.
All images in this article were taken by Elena Sullivan, ArsVie Photo Studio and are protected by copyright. If you are interested in using any of the them, please contact me for permission. Thank you for understanding!
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