Fountain of Cybele | |
---|---|
Spanish: Fuente de Cibeles | |
Artist |
Francisco Gutiérrez (sculptor) Roberto Michel (sculptor) Ventura Rodríguez (designer) |
Medium | White marble |
Movement | Neoclassicism |
Subject | Cybele |
Location | Plaza de Cbieles, Madrid, Spain |
40°25′10″N 3°41′35″W / 40.419345°N 3.693081°W |
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]
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 (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 lost again 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]