Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain is a white marble neo-classical fountain, and one of the most beautiful in Madrid. It sits in the centre of Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo; better known as Plaza de Neptuno.
The square is surrounded by beautiful aristocratic structures built between the eighteenth and nineteenth century, including the Ritz and Palace hotels. It's an enormous fountain inspired by greek mythology and built with the aim of turning Madrid into a Paris, or St. Petersburg.
In this ornate fountain is an eighteenth-century sculpture of Neptune, the god of the sea holding a trident while riding on a carriage pulled by two creatures with a horse-shaped upper-half and a fish serpentine-tail.
Less well-known but well worth visiting
The Fuente de Neptuno is part of the large project commissioned by King Charles III to modernise the city, including the creation of the Cibeles Fountain.
The architect Ventura Rodríguez was put in charge of the project, who turned to Juan Pascual de Mena to create the Neptune Fountain. It was built between 1780 and 1784. For many years it was known as the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo.
A Place of Celebrations
The Neptune Fountain is where Atlético Madrid, the other famous football club based in Madrid, celebrates its victories, in the same way as Real Madrid traditionally celebrates at the Cibeles Fountain.
Nearby places
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (135 m) Prado Museum (231 m) Naval Museum, Madrid (245 m) Círculo de Bellas Artes (404 m) Cibeles Palace (420 m)
