Fountain of Cybele facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fountain of Cybele |
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| Spanish: Fuente de Cibeles | |
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| Artist | Francisco Gutiérrez (sculptor) Roberto Michel (sculptor) Ventura Rodríguez (designer) |
| Medium | White marble |
| Movement | Neoclassicism |
| Subject | Cybele |
| Location | Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid, Spain |
| 40°25′10″N 3°41′35″W / 40.419345°N 3.693081°W | |
The Fountain of Cybele (in Spanish: Fuente de Cibeles) is a famous and beautiful fountain in Madrid, Spain. It's built in a style called Neoclassicism, which means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman art. You can find it right in the middle of the Plaza de Cibeles, a big square. The statues in the fountain show Cybele, who was an ancient goddess of the Earth and nature. This fountain has become one of the most well-known symbols of Madrid.
Contents
History and Design
A Look at the Fountain
The Fountain of Cybele was designed by Ventura Rodríguez in 1780. The statues are made from white marble from a place called Montesclaros. The main statue of the goddess was carved by Francisco Gutiérrez Arribas, and the two powerful lions were made by Roberto Michel.
The goddess Cybele wears a special crown on her head. She rides in a chariot (a two-wheeled cart) pulled by two strong lions. These lions represent two characters from ancient Greek stories: Atalanta and Hippomenes.
Where It Stands Today
The fountain was moved to its current spot and turned to face its present direction in 1895. It holds a lot of water, up to 278 cubic meters!
A Place for Celebrations
The Fountain of Cybele is a very important spot for sports fans. When the famous football team Real Madrid wins a trophy, their supporters and players gather here to celebrate. Fans of the Spain national football team also come to the fountain to celebrate their team's successes.
A Fountain in Another City
Did you know there's another Fountain of Cybele? A replica (a copy) of this fountain is located in Mexico City. It's called the namesake Fuente de Cibeles and was opened in 1980.
See also
In Spanish: Fuente de Cibeles para niños
