Fountain of Cybele

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Fountain of Cybele
Spanish: Fuente de Cibeles
Fuente de Cibeles - Dec 2024.jpg
The fountain in 2024
Artist Francisco Gutiérrez (sculptor)
Roberto Michel  [ es ] (sculptor)
Ventura Rodríguez (designer)
Medium White marble
Movement Neoclassicism
Subject Cybele
Location Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain
Coordinates 40°25′10″N3°41′35″W / 40.419345°N 3.693081°W / 40.419345; -3.693081

The Fountain of Cybele (Spanish: Fuente de Cibeles, or simply, La Cibeles) is a neoclassical fountain in Madrid, Spain. It lies on the centre of the Plaza de Cibeles. The sculptural group in its centre represents Cybele, a Phrygian earth and fertility deity. It has become one of the icons of the city. [1]

Contents

History and description

Designed and commissioned by Ventura Rodríguez in 1780, the sculptural group—made of white marble from Montesclaros— [2] is a work by Francisco Gutiérrez (goddess) and Roberto Michel  [ es ] (the lions). [3]

Crowned by a mural crown, the goddess rides a chariot pulled by two lions, representing Atalanta and Hippomenes. [4]

It was moved to its current location and orientation in 1895. [3]

It has a maximum water capacity of 278 m3. [4]

The fountain is the site where Real Madrid's supporters and players gather to celebrate the team's trophies as well as partakers of the successes of the Spain national football team. [5] The goddess lost a hand in 1994, following a celebration of a victory of the Spanish national team. [4] The goddess another one of her hands on 21 September 2002. [6]

The Fountain of Cybele has a replica, the namesake Fuente de Cibeles, located in Mexico City and inaugurated in 1980. [1]

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Domingo, Marta R. (20 August 2012). "Los cinco secretos que esconde la fuente de la Cibeles". ABC .
  2. ↑ López de Azcona, Fort González & Mingarro Martín 2002, p. 68.
  3. 1 2 López de Azcona, Fort González & Mingarro Martín 2002, p. 67.
  4. 1 2 3 Fraguas 2014.
  5. ↑ Ortiz García 2006, pp. 199–200.
  6. ↑ "Los acusados de romper una mano a la Cibeles reconocen los hechos pero dicen que fue un accidente". El Mundo . 27 April 2004.

Bibliography

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