Neptuno Fountain (Madrid)
The Neptuno Fountain is located in the centre of the homonymous roundabout in the Cánovas del Castillo Square. Together with the Cibeles Fountain, the Artichoke Fountain and the Apollo Fountain, it is among the existing monumental fountains in Madrid.
Its construction was part of Charles III's ambitious urban reorganization plan, which aimed to make Madrid one of the elite European capitals through artistic and monumental works of great beauty—part of the Neoclassical movement in Europe at that time.
Its construction lasted from 1782 to 1786 and was inaugurated at the bottom of the Carrera de San Jerónimo and in front of the Cibeles Fountain. However, in 1898, it was moved to the centre of the square in the current Neptuno roundabout.
The impressive complex's design is the work of the famous architect Ventura Rodríguez. It was sculpted entirely in white marble from the Montesclaros quarries in Toledo. The commission was entrusted to the renowned sculptor Juan Pascual de Mena; after his sudden death in 1784, it was completed by his disciple José Arias together with the sculptors Pablo de la Cerda, José Rodríguez and José Guerra.
The design is splendid in symbology, likely to glorify the Navy of Charles III. The fountain is raised on a large circular pylon, where the figure of Neptune stands out with a coiled snake in his right hand and his trident in the left.
The god of the sea stands imposingly on a huge seashell that acts as a chariot pulled by two seahorses. Around him swim dolphins and seals whose mouths spew jets of water to a great height.
Like the Cibeles Fountain, the Neptune Fountain attracts sports fans—in this case, those of Atlético de Madrid. Since 1991, they have gathered around the fountain to celebrate the team's triumphs.
Its construction was part of Charles III's ambitious urban reorganization plan, which aimed to make Madrid one of the elite European capitals through artistic and monumental works of great beauty—part of the Neoclassical movement in Europe at that time.
Its construction lasted from 1782 to 1786 and was inaugurated at the bottom of the Carrera de San Jerónimo and in front of the Cibeles Fountain. However, in 1898, it was moved to the centre of the square in the current Neptuno roundabout.
The impressive complex's design is the work of the famous architect Ventura Rodríguez. It was sculpted entirely in white marble from the Montesclaros quarries in Toledo. The commission was entrusted to the renowned sculptor Juan Pascual de Mena; after his sudden death in 1784, it was completed by his disciple José Arias together with the sculptors Pablo de la Cerda, José Rodríguez and José Guerra.
The design is splendid in symbology, likely to glorify the Navy of Charles III. The fountain is raised on a large circular pylon, where the figure of Neptune stands out with a coiled snake in his right hand and his trident in the left.
The god of the sea stands imposingly on a huge seashell that acts as a chariot pulled by two seahorses. Around him swim dolphins and seals whose mouths spew jets of water to a great height.
Like the Cibeles Fountain, the Neptune Fountain attracts sports fans—in this case, those of Atlético de Madrid. Since 1991, they have gathered around the fountain to celebrate the team's triumphs.
Location
Civil Buildings in Madrid
Religious Buildings in Madrid
Museums in Madrid
