Fountains of Barcelona: The water of our history (II)
A few weeks ago, we recalled that the architectural wealth of Barcelona is also manifested through its fountains, which number in the hundreds. After an initial review in which we learned about the most famous fountain, the most sports-related, and the oldest in the city, today we want to continue discovering for you some of the fountains that hold the most history within their stones.
House of the Archdeacon. The Dancing Egg
One of them is located at the Casa de l’Ardiaca, a building next to the Cathedral that since the 12th century has been the residence of the archdeacons who assisted the bishop. In addition to having on its facade a mailbox with the most patient turtle of Barcelona and preserving in the lower part of the building a fragment of the ancient Roman wall, it also has a small cloister with a two-tiered stone fountain. On the higher level, a single mushroom-shaped spout from which water flows. Thanks to its rounded surface, it drops the water into an octagonal basin from which four spouts direct the flow to a lower basin, where the cycle begins again.
Every year, to celebrate Corpus Christi, the courtyard hosts the Dancing Egg. The fountain is adorned with flowers and an egg is placed right on top of the upper jet so that it spins with the rhythm of the water, giving the impression of dancing on the water without falling. Without fully understanding the origin or the symbolism of this tradition, it is certain that there is evidence of it as far back as 1440.
Portaferrissa Fountain
Not far from there, another fountain brings to mind the walls of medieval Barcelona, which rose on one side of Las Ramblas. There we find the Portaferrissa fountain, which in the 13th century was one of the city's entrance gates. Specifically, the 'iron gate,' which eventually changed its name to the current one. A mural at the fountain at the beginning of the street reminds us of that past. It is worth highlighting the importance of this and other spouts that for centuries were in the streets and squares of the city, because there was no water supply in the houses, and they saved families from having to go outside the walls and venture into the suburbs (now Raval) to collect water.
Santa Eulalia Fountain
Following this virtual journey through the most famous fountains of Barcelona towards Llobregat from the center, we can take a break at the Pedró square, where Hospital street turns into Sant Antoni Abat. There, the Santa Eulàlia fountain is located, dated in 1673, which consists of a four-spout fountain topped by a pillar crowned by the co-patroness of Barcelona, in her martyrdom. Since then, the fountain has survived all the conflicts and bombings endured by the city, although the Civil War almost destroyed it. Only the fountain and the saint's head survived. The rest had to be rebuilt to restore its current appearance.
The Cat's Fountain
Indeed. The famous Font del Gat that we used to hum as children, and from which 'a girl and a soldier' descended, does exist and is located in Barcelona. More precisely, in Montjuïc, within the Laribal Gardens. As the song narrates, this fountain surrounded by nature was a haven of peace and intimacy for lovers who found there a bucolic spot away from prying eyes. They were not the only ones. Gradually, the place became the favorite spot of Barcelona's society for their Sunday outings, to the point that its enormous popularity turned into immortality through a sardana written in 1926, which has endured to the present day.
If you're inspired to turn this virtual journey into reality and take a stroll through the fountains of Barcelona, this would undoubtedly be a great spot to rest and enjoy the views that the city offers from this location. Our next tour of Barcelona's fountains will be like a fairy tale...
