Artichoke Fountain, a photo from Madrid, Madrid

Photographer's Note

See also the photos of the WS,

11 The Fuente de la Alcachofa, initially located in the Atocha roundabout, became very popular among travelers arriving in Madrid by train as one of the first monuments to see when leaving the station.

Made of granite and white stone, its construction is part of Ventura Rodr刕uez's project to beautify the Prado Hall during the reign of Carlos III. Due to the obstruction of traffic, it was ordered in 1880 to be transferred to the Plaza de Honduras del Retiro, attached to the Fountain of the Galapagos or Isabel II and next to the pond.

The monument keeps some of the most characteristic Baroque motifs: marine gods, plant elements and water, as an essential element for life. The set is crowned by an artichoke, a herbaceous plant highly appreciated for its medicinal properties and as food. On the circular pylon, a Triton and a Nereid hold the Madrid coat of arms in their hands.

In 1987, and as part of the renovation work on the Carlos V roundabout, the decision was made to decorate the center of the square with a reproduction of the Alcachofa Fountain in bronze.

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Ver tambien las fotos del WS,

11 La Fuente de la Alcachofa, ubicada inicialmente en la glorieta de Atocha, se hizo muy popular entre los viajeros que llegaban a Madrid en tren por ser uno de los primeros monumentos en ver al salir de la estaci.

Realizada en granito y piedra blanca, su construcci forma parte del proyecto de Ventura Rodr刕uez para embellecer el Sal del Prado durante el reinado de Carlos III. Debido a que entorpec僘 el tr畴ico, se ordena en 1880 su traslado a la plaza de Honduras del Retiro, anexa a la Fuente de los Gal疳agos o de Isabel II y junto al Estanque.

El monumento guarda algunos de los motivos m疽 caracter﨎ticos del Barroco: dioses marinos, elementos vegetales y el agua, como elemento imprescindible para la vida. Corona el conjunto una alcachofa, planta herb當ea muy apreciada por sus propiedades medicinales y como alimento. Sobre el pil circular, un Trit y una Nereida sostienen en sus manos el escudo de armas de Madrid.

En 1987, y dentro de los trabajos de reforma de la glorieta de Carlos V, se tom� la decisi de decorar el centro de la plaza con una reproducci de la Fuente de la Alcachofa en bronce.

holmertz, Fis2, jean113, pajaran, ikeharel, jhm, COSTANTINO, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (102774) 2021-09-04 10:32

Hello Luis,
The autumn coloured trees provide a fine background to the fountain. They also create a nice complement to the green hedge and the greenish water. The small red pavilion is another fine eye-catcher. The spring view in the WS makes an interestingly different impression and the close view is quite beautiful and very nicely exposed.
Best regards,
Gert

Fis2 (170861) 2021-09-04 11:18

Witaj Luis!
A very nice set of photos.
A very curious fountain and interesting details.
Good frames, colors and light.
Well done my friend.
Have a nice weekend.
Krzysztof

jean113 (27893) 2021-09-04 11:33

Hello Luis, the sunlight has highlighted the features of the fountain so well.
The light has also illuminated the droplets of water as they fall.
I like the background of autumn coloured leaves, and the perfect blue sky.
Thank you for the w/s pictures.
Kind regards, Jean.

Tue (92470) 2021-09-04 11:37

Hello Luis,
A great photo of this wonderful fountain, which you captured in a very nice and clear sunlight. The tiny drops of water stand out very nicely as well and the autumn colours make a great backdrop.
Lars

Silvio1953 (221729) 2021-09-04 11:48

Ciao Luis, great view of fantastic fountain, wonderful colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pajaran (115989) 2021-09-04 12:03

Pozdrav.

Lep pogled, interesantan tekst ...
Lepa fontana i drvece u pozadini, dobro pokazano sa lepim bojama, kontrastom, perspektivom i uhvacenim trentkom sa mlazevima vode.
Lepa Artichoke Fountain i fotografija.

Zelim vam lepu i mirnu noc, sve najbolje.
Paja

lousat (139332) 2021-09-04 12:13

Hi Luis,a perfect report of this fountain with 2 view in different seasons, i agree for the choice of colorful trees in autumn comparing the total green of springtime in the WS, perfect capture of details in the other pic,well done! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

jmdias (115252) 2021-09-04 12:32

luis

as formas esculticas da fonte s縊 bel﨎simas e o efeito com a 疊ua adicionou ainda mais beleza ao conjunto. muito boa a foto.

um abra輟

jorge

ifege (48159) 2021-09-04 21:28

Hi Luis
You could hardly call this fountain beautiful but it does have interesting elements. A good trio of photos of it.
cheers
Ian

jemaflor (147224) 2021-09-04 23:38

Hi Luis,
Well photogrphed this fountain, good photogenic effect with these colors, good sharpness too, tfs.

ikeharel (113427) 2021-09-05 1:10

Hola Luis,
A womnderful fontana picture, well lit and full of art elements. Placed well against the red-leaves trees in the fall.
Frankly, do not remember seeing this - one cannot see all monuments and fontanas with statues in so many places we visited.
Buenas dias,
Ike

abmdsudi (95869) 2021-09-05 8:12

Hi Luis
Great capture of the artistic water fountain with medieval taste, vivid detail and autumnal colour to sum up to the olde worde feel. Excellent contrast to blue sky to finish off.
Best regards

jhm (211736) 2021-09-05 10:12

Hello Luis,

You show us a lovely image with the big statue of the fountain
Nice detailed picture, also fantastic autumn colours
Colours and sharpness are excellent.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Royaldevon (85932) 2021-09-05 14:56

Hola Luis,

I always think that fountains add a special beauty of design and atmosphere, to parks or streets where they are situated.
This is a very beautiful example, showing fine sculptures, a mixture of materials and water cascading from a great height. I imagine there was the noise of the water as well as as its visual impact.
Your low viewpoint works really well, exhibiting the upper details of the fountain against the clear, blue sky, whilst the lower areas have the benefit of the autumn coloured leaves as a b/g.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

COSTANTINO (116580) 2021-09-05 22:30

Hello dear Luis
I generally like the
old fountains and I have
many photos concerning
many of them..
but this one is really
impressive made of granite
and white stone
regards
Costantino

mkamionka (74535) 2021-09-06 13:49

Hola Luis,
another beautiful fountain from Madrid. This city has so much to offer to photographer! One could spend ages walking around with camera.
Beautiful autumnal colrs here in the backgroud. I suppose the colors nicely evolve throughout the year.
Beautiful reportage from the Spanish capital.
M

ChrisJ (171884) 2021-09-11 23:39

Hello Luis,

Missed this one. The reds and golds of the Autumn toned trees contrast well with the blue sky. Good sharpness and punchy light contrasts. Tfs!

mcmtanyel (68623) 2022-02-25 21:33

Hello Luis,
Hmm, I haven't had artichokes for a while, they are not well known in the US.
Regards,
MT