Ross Fountain facts for kids
The Ross Fountain is a stunning fountain made of cast iron. You can find it in West Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh, Scotland. This amazing structure was put in place in 1872. It got a big makeover and was restored in 2018, making it look brand new!
The Fountain's Journey: A Look Back
The Ross Fountain was built in France. It was made at a special factory called an iron foundry. This factory belonged to a person named Antoine Durenne in a town called Sommevoire.
Before coming to Edinburgh, the fountain was shown off. It was a big display at the Great Exhibition of 1862. This was a huge event where countries showed their best inventions and art.
A man named Daniel Ross bought the fountain in 1862. He was a gunmaker and paid £2,000 for it. He then gave it as a gift to the city of Edinburgh. The fountain was very large! It had to be shipped to Leith in 1869 in 122 separate pieces. Workers then put it all together in its spot in 1872. It also had some big repair work done in 2001.
Bringing the Fountain Back to Life
The fountain's water was turned off in 2008. Then, in July 2017, it was closed again for even more restoration work. A company called Lost Art Limited from Wigan did the work. They were hired by The Ross Development Trust. This big restoration cost 1.9 million pounds!
On July 8, 2018, the fountain was turned back on. Important people like Lord Provost Frank Ross were there. The Head of Mission at the French Consulate in Edinburgh, Emmanuel Cocher, also attended. It was a special day!
Now, the fountain is painted in bright colors. It has shades of turquoise, brown, and gold. The people who worked on it say the paint should last for at least 20 years. The fountain also has a brand new pump. This means it will stay on all the time for everyone to enjoy!
See also
In Spanish: Fuente Ross para niños
