Magdalena Fountain (Jaen)

The Magdalena fountain and its subsequent stream were of vital importance for the city of Jaen, to such an extent that it was one of the determining factors for the growth of the city.

The stream of the Magdalena fountain gives way to a set of underground tunnels, which measure 1.60 meters high and little more than one wide, and are roofed with wide gabled slabs. Its waters flowed through these tunnels to later reach the different palaces, baths, thermal baths, mosques, wells and fountains, since the Islamic period and, most likely, since the Roman domination.

The water from these underground tunnels also supplied the mills, tanneries, quarries, dry cleaners and ovens that supplied various products, both to the local population and to other areas of the Castilian crown.

With the excess water, when leaving the city, streams were created, such as the Arroyo de la Magdalena or the Arroyo de San Pedro, which were used to irrigate the areas of orchards located outside the walls.

This stream was the main source of drinking water in Jaen until the 19th century.