Cibeles Fountain

The Cibeles Fountain, built in 1782, is one of the symbols of the city. It is located in the center of the square that bears its name and is surrounded by the buildings of the Buenavista Palace (Army Headquarters), Linares Palace (Casa de América), Cibeles Palace (formerly the Post Office and currently the Madrid City Hall and the CentroCentro cultural center), and the Bank of Spain.

The fountain represents the Roman goddess Cybele, symbol of the earth, agriculture, and fertility, on a chariot pulled by two lions, the mythological figures Hippomenes and Atalanta. The goddess and the lions were sculpted in marble, and the rest in stone. The sculpture of the goddess is the work of Francisco Gutiérrez. The two lions were sculpted by the Frenchman Roberto Michel.

The fountain was not only an artistic monument, but from the beginning, it also served a practical purpose for the people of Madrid.

It had two water spouts that remained open until 1862. Official water carriers used one to deliver water to homes, and the general public used the other. Horses drank from the trough. The goddess is also an icon for Real Madrid football fans, as the team's titles are celebrated there, as are the successes of the Spanish national football team.