Fuente de la Alcachofa — Attraction in Madrid

In the lake near this fountain, I got lucky with this photo of someone feeding the fish. It reminded me of a story I was told that happened some 50 years ago.

Two brothers & their little sister were trying to catch the fish to bring home to their poor family. Now, in those days, many of the people were poor. A different life almost, to who they are now.

Anyway, it was the sister that told me the tale of how scared she was as the 2 brothers ran ahead & she on her little legs, with the park keepers running after them. Probably just chasing them out, rather than trying to catch them, but when they got home, the mother clouted the brothers for scaring the sister so much.

A nice memory for adults to recall.

View the 360º photo to see how tasty these fish must have seem to the naughty...

Granite and white stone fountain featuring some characteristic baroque motifs: marine deities, plants, and water. Named due to an artichoke that can be seen at the top, probably added as it was a plant much appreciated for its medicinal properties and culinary uses. Flanking the round base, a triton and a nereid are holding up the city’s coat of arms. The fountain is currently located in Plaza de Honduras within El Retiro, but it was originally located at the Atocha roundabout, from where it was moved in 1880. It was originally part of Ventura Rodríguez’s project to renovate the Salón del Prado during the reign of Carlos III. In 1987, a copy was positioned in...

It’s a simple fountain located near the exact middle but sligthly to the west (on the map) side of the El Retiro park. Apparently first the fountain was installed in the old ‘Puerta de Atocha’ but then later in 1880 was move into the Retiro park but there is still a bronze replica in the Atocha area.

The architect was Ventura Rodriguez which he purposedly designed the fountain with a baroque style such as sea gods, vegetable decorations, and water effects on the rocks displayed. The style is also present in the ‘Las Conchas’ fountain which is located in the Palacio Real de Madrid in the...