FOUNTAIN OF THE WEEK
Fuente de la Fama, Campo Grande, Valladolid
One of several notable fountains in this particularly nice city centre park, this has Fame blowing her trumpet (and a thin stream of water), surrounded by several more vigorous sprays. The overall design of the fountain is by Antonio Iturralde Montel, who placed her on a plinth emerging from an octagonal basin, and the figure of Fame herself is a conventional bronzework by the sculptor Mariano Chicote Recio. It was erected in 1882 to commemorate the recent death of the city mayor, Miguel Íscar Juárez, whose nearby statue reveals a man with the most magnificent handlebar moustache. Well worth blowing your trumpet over.
FOUNTAIN OF THE WEEK
PALAZZO PFANNER, LUCCA
The fountain itself is unremarkable, but its setting is unique: the garden of the Palazzo Pfanner, 17th century baroque residence now owned by a family of Austrian brewers in the centre of the beautiful Tuscan walled city of Lucca. Unique, because behind the garden runs the city wall, and so while strolling along in the evening passeggiata, one can look straight down on it. Around the basin stand statues of the four elements and the four seasons, along with rows of potted lemon trees, giving the garden a timeless air of decadent opulence. It’s not surprising that it has formed the backdrop to many a period drama. Famous names from Alberto Sordi to Nicole Kidman have strolled through the palazzo and its grounds, doubtless watched by a fair few spectators on the wall…
Fountain of the week
Kindlifressenbrunnen, Bern
Not much aquatic action this week, just a mere dribble – but I’m sure you ‘ll agree it’s been well worth staying over in Switzerland for. The baby-eating ogre of Bern has stood in the Kornhausplatz since around 1545. Nobody seems to know why. Various rumours abound, including charges of anti-
semitism (apparently the ogre’s hat was originally yellow, matching the hats that the city’s Jews were forced to wear in earlier days), but the general consensus is that it’s supposed simply to scare kids into eating their greens and acquiring good table manners. Though you can’t see it in this picture, there is a frieze circling the column just above the water spout consisting of a series of bears (the symbol of Bern) dressed in the city guild uniforms, one of whom is sporting a small erection. Which of the town’s dignitaries he is supposed to represent, goodness only knows.
FOUNTAIN OF THE WEEK
Tinguelybrunnen (Tinguely Fountain), Basel
Slap bang in the heart of the city, this extraordinary landmark draws locals and visitors alike to its spraysome delights, particularly on a hot summer’s day. Read more »
FOUNTAIN OF THE WEEK
Rossio, Lisbon
Let’s kick off this series with an elegant little number on the edge of Lisbon’s central square. Probably imported from France. 18th century?
Can you tell us anything more about this fountain?
One of several notable fountains in this particularly nice city centre park, this has Fame blowing her trumpet (and a thin stream of water), surrounded by several more vigorous sprays. The overall design of the fountain is by Antonio Iturralde Montel, who placed her on a plinth emerging from an octagonal basin, and the figure of Fame herself is a conventional bronzework by the sculptor Mariano Chicote Recio. It was erected in 1882 to commemorate the recent death of the city mayor, Miguel Íscar Juárez, whose nearby statue reveals a man with the most magnificent handlebar moustache. Well worth blowing your trumpet over.
