Fountain of the Plaza Mayor | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Artist | Pedro de Noguera |
Completion date | 8 September 1651 |
Location | Plaza Mayor, Lima |
The Fountain of the Plaza Mayor is located in the square of the same name in the historic centre of Lima, Peru. Originally inaugurated in 1578, it has since been retouched and serves as the square's main feature, itself featuring a statue of Pheme, one of the gods of Ancient Greece.
The first fountain built in the square was ordered to be built by Viceroy Francisco de Toledo and was inaugurated on October 21, 1578. It consisted of a baluster and a bowl, and in it eight masks with their pipes through which the water fell into the largest cup. On top of the cup there was a ball, which released all the water to fall on the cup. Above the ball was a figure of Pheme with a shield on one side with the arms of the city. In its hand was a flag and the arms of Viceroy Toledo was sculpted on it. The finishing of the overcup was made by the silversmiths Miguel Morcillo and Juan Ruiz. An unpublished record of the Cabildo of Lima corresponding to the year 1630 states that in addition to the coats of arms of Lima and Toledo, the fountain had the coat of arms of Spain and that of Francisco Pizarro. [1]
This pool was replaced by another commissioned by the Viceroy Count of Salvatierra, and inaugurated on September 8, 1651, which, with some renovations, remains to this day. Its design is due to the sculptor Pedro de Noguera. [1]
In 1900, Federico Elguera, then mayor of Lima, had the square renovated, including the fountain. During these works, the angel fell and broke, eventually disappearing. As a result, a replica replaced it in 1997. [1]
Restoration works took place in 2015 after complaints regating the fountain's state. [2] [3]
In 2018, the fountain was filled with Pisco to commemorate its national day, which was served to all visitors to the square on that date. Up to 1,500 litres were used in the fountain. [4]
Pisco is a city located in the Department of Ica of Peru, the capital of the Pisco Province. The city is around 9 metres above sea level. Pisco was founded in 1640, close to the indigenous emplacement of the same name. Pisco originally prospered because of its nearby vineyards and became noted for its grape brandy or pisco which was exported from its port. Pisco has an estimated population of 104,656.
The Plaza de Armas is a common name given to given to public squares in Latin America, Spain and the Philippines. There are also examples of squares with that name in North America. In the central region of Mexico this space is known as El Zócalo and in Central America as Parque Central. While some large cities have both a Plaza de Armas and a Plaza Mayor, in most cities those are two names for the same place.
The Plaza de Armas of Ayacucho is in the city center of Ayacucho, Peru. Central plazas in Peru are typically called the Plaza Mayor. The Plaza de Armas is so named because it was the place where the city's defenders assembled during emergencies. In Ayacucho it is known as Sucre Park.
The Government Palace, also known as the House of Pizarro, is the seat of the executive branch of the Peruvian government, and the official residence of the president of Peru. The palace is a stately government building, occupying the northern side of the Plaza Mayor in Peru's capital city, Lima. Set on the Rímac River, the palace occupies the site of a very large huaca that incorporated a shrine to Taulichusco, the last kuraka of Lima.
The Basilica Metropolitan Cathedral of Lima and Primate of Peru, otherwise Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the Plaza Mayor of downtown Lima, Peru. This third and current Cathedral of Lima was built between 1602 and 1797. It is dedicated to St. John, Apostle and Evangelist.
Barranco is one of 43 districts in Lima, Peru. Its current mayor is Jessica Vargas.
Located principally in the city centre or Cercado de Lima and Rímac areas, the Historic Centre of Lima is among the most important tourist destinations in Peru.
Curicó is a city located in Chile's central valley and serves as the capital of the Curicó Province, which is part of the Maule Region. Positioned between the provinces of Colchagua and Talca, the region stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the border with Argentina.
García Hurtado de Mendoza y Manrique, 5th Marquis of Cañete was a Spanish Governor of Chile, and later Viceroy of Peru. He is often known simply as "Marquis of Cañete". Belonging to an influential family of Spanish noblemen Hurtado de Mendoza successfully fought in the Arauco War during his stay as Governor of Chile. The city of Mendoza is named after him. In his later position as Viceroy of Peru he sponsored Álvaro de Mendaña's transpacific expedition of 1595, who named the Marquesas Islands after him.
Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo was a Spanish Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Lima from 1579 until his death.
The Jirón de la Unión, or Union Street, is a pedestrian street located in the Historic Centre of Lima, part of the capital of Peru. For many decades it was the most important boulevards of the city, often described as the most aristocratic, where many of the most affluent citizens of the city and most powerful men around the world would meet. Subsequently, with the deterioration of the center of Lima, the Jirón de la Unión lost its aristocratic character and became completely commercialized.
The Plaza Mayor de Lima, or Plaza de Armas de Lima, is considered one of the birthplaces of the city of Lima, as well as the core of the city. Located in the Historic Centre of Lima, it is surrounded by the Government Palace, Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, Archbishop's Palace of Lima, the Municipal Palace, and the Palacio de la Unión.
The Gran Hotel Bolívar, is a historic hotel located on Plaza San Martín in Lima, Peru. Designed by noted Peruvian architect Rafael Marquina, it was built in 1924 and was the first large, modern hotel built in Lima.
The Plaza de Armas is the main square of Santiago, the capital of Chile. Plaza de Armas metro station is located under the square. Surrounding the square are some historic buildings, including the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, Central Post Office Building, Palacio de la Real Audiencia de Santiago, and the building that serves as the seat of local government for Santiago, which was formerly occupied by the Cabildo of the city before being remodeled. There are also other architecturally significant buildings that face the square, including the Capilla del Sagrario, the Palacio arzobispal, the Edificio Comercial Edwards, and the Portal Fernández Concha. The Casa Colorada, the Cuartel General del Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago and the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino are located a short walk from the square.
Bolívar Square in Caracas is one of the most important and recognized Venezuelan public spaces. It is located in the center of the first 25 blocks of Caracas when it was founded as "Santiago de León de Caracas" in 1567. It is in the historic center of the city in the Cathedral Parish of the Libertador Municipality.
The history of Cusco (Peru), the historical capital of the Incas.
The Plaza de Teucro is a square of medieval origin located in the heart of the old town of Pontevedra (Spain). It is the most harmoniously proportioned medieval square in the city.
Peru Square, formerly known as Pizarro Square, is a public square located in central Lima, Peru.
Italy Square, formerly known as Saint Anne's Square, is a public square in the Barrios Altos neighbourhood of Lima, Peru. It was the second square built by the Spanish during the colonial era and later served as one of the four squares where the independence of Peru was declared in the city.
Jirón Huallaga is a major street in the Damero de Pizarro, located in the historic centre of Lima, Peru. The street starts at its intersection with the Jirón de la Unión at the Plaza Mayor and continues until it reaches Jirón Cangallo in Barrios Altos, about a block after it passes through the Plaza Italia.