Audioguía Cibeles Fountain en Madrid
✓ Audioguía Oficial Inteligente con Geoposicionamiento, Historia Detallada y Consejos de Visita.
Historia y Arquitectura de Cibeles Fountain
Located in the vibrant center of Madrid, where Paseo del Prado meets Calle de Alcalá, the Cibeles Fountain stands as a monumental masterpiece defining the aesthetic horizon of the Age of Enlightenment. Designed in 1777 by the renowned neoclassical architect Ventura Rodríguez, the fountain was a key element of King Charles III’s ambitious urban project to modernize the capital. Beyond its decorative magnificence, the structure originally fulfilled a vital civic function, acting as a primary water supply for the city’s inhabitants and travel merchants.
The sculptural ensemble embodies a rich mythological allegory carved from over ten tons of pure marble. Cibeles, the Phrygian goddess symbolizing nature, land, and renewal, sits enthroned wearing a mural crown that evokes protective city walls. She holds a scepter and the keys to the city while riding a grand chariot. This carriage is drawn by two fierce lions representing Atalanta and Hippomenes, who were transformed into beasts by the goddess Venus as punishment for desecrating a sacred temple. Sculptor Francisco Gutiérrez carved the figure of Cibeles and her chariot, while Roberto Michel meticulously sculpted the anatomical detail of the powerful lions.
Originally positioned adjacent to the Buenavista Palace facing Neptune's fountain, the structure was moved to the center of the square in 1895 and oriented toward Gran Vía, adding the multi-tiered basin seen today. Over the centuries, Cibeles has transcended its physical architecture. It survived the Spanish Civil War shielded under a massive pyramid of sandbags and bricks. Today, it serves as the world-famous gathering site where Real Madrid football fans celebrate major championship victories. Cibeles remains a timeless symbol of art, myth, and civic pride.
🎙️ Transcripción Oficial de la Audioguía
Located in the vibrant center of Madrid, where Paseo del Prado meets Calle de Alcalá, the Cibeles Fountain stands as a monumental masterpiece defining the aesthetic horizon of the Age of Enlightenment. Designed in 1777 by the renowned neoclassical architect Ventura Rodríguez, the fountain was a key element of King Charles III’s ambitious urban project to modernize the capital. Beyond its decorative magnificence, the structure originally fulfilled a vital civic function, acting as a primary water supply for the city’s inhabitants and travel merchants.
The sculptural ensemble embodies a rich mythological allegory carved from over ten tons of pure marble. Cibeles, the Phrygian goddess symbolizing nature, land, and renewal, sits enthroned wearing a mural crown that evokes protective city walls. She holds a scepter and the keys to the city while riding a grand chariot. This carriage is drawn by two fierce lions representing Atalanta and Hippomenes, who were transformed into beasts by the goddess Venus as punishment for desecrating a sacred temple. Sculptor Francisco Gutiérrez carved the figure of Cibeles and her chariot, while Roberto Michel meticulously sculpted the anatomical detail of the powerful lions.
Originally positioned adjacent to the Buenavista Palace facing Neptune's fountain, the structure was moved to the center of the square in 1895 and oriented toward Gran Vía, adding the multi-tiered basin seen today. Over the centuries, Cibeles has transcended its physical architecture. It survived the Spanish Civil War shielded under a massive pyramid of sandbags and bricks. Today, it serves as the world-famous gathering site where Real Madrid football fans celebrate major championship victories. Cibeles remains a timeless symbol of art, myth, and civic pride.