Neptune Fountain — Attraction in Madrid

Once upon a time in the beautiful country of España, there was a grand Neptune fountain located in the heart of the city. It was a magnificent sight to behold, with its towering statue of the Roman god of the sea, Neptune, surrounded by cascading water and intricate sculptures.

The fountain was a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, with people coming from far and wide to marvel at its beauty. It was said that the fountain was built by a wealthy merchant as a tribute to the sea, which played a crucial role in the country's history and culture.

Legend had it that the fountain was enchanted, and whoever made a wish while tossing a coin into its waters would have their wish granted. This made the fountain even more special, and people would often line up to make their wishes, hoping for their dreams to come true.

One sunny afternoon, a young girl named Isabella visited the Neptune fountain with her family. She was in awe of the grandeur of the fountain and couldn't wait to make her wish. As she tossed a coin into the water, she closed her eyes and wished for her family to be happy and healthy forever.

Little did Isabella know that her wish was about to come true in a way she never imagined. As she opened her eyes, she saw the statue of Neptune come to life. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she was dreaming, but the statue spoke to her.

"Greetings, young one. I am Neptune, and I have been watching over this fountain for centuries. I have heard your wish, and I am here to grant it," the statue said in a booming voice.

Isabella was both shocked and excited. She couldn't believe that her wish was actually coming true. Neptune then explained that he had the power to make her family healthy and happy, but only if she promised to always treat the sea and its creatures with respect and kindness.

Isabella eagerly agreed, and in a flash of light, Neptune disappeared back into the statue. She ran back to her family, who were amazed to see her beaming with joy. From that day on, Isabella's family lived a happy and healthy life, and she never forgot her promise to Neptune.

The Neptune fountain became even more famous after that day, and people came from all over to make their wishes. But Isabella knew that her wish had been the most special of all, and she would always cherish the memory of her encounter with the god of the sea.

And so, the Neptune fountain in España continued to be a symbol of hope and magic, reminding people to always be kind and grateful to the sea and all...

An interesting landmark to see along Paseo Del Prado in Madrid is Fuente de Neptuno (Neptune Fountain) at Plaza De Canovas Del Castillo, just in front of Hotel Place and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Sadly, it is difficult to see the fountain up close due to the heavy traffic at this roundabout in the middle of Paseo Del Prado. However, you can see and photograph the fountain from in front of the hotel as well as from the museum upper floors, which have open windows providing unobstructed views.

Created by Ventura Rodriquez in 1777, this fountain sculpture is fairly typical image of Neptune, riding chariot which interestingly resembles a large shell with watermill like wheels. The chariot is being pulled out of the water by two horses. Neptune holds his triton in his left hand while his right hands grips a serpent which is wrapped around his arm.

The Neptune figure is atop a two layered staggered fountain, which empties into a larger circular basin. There are water large water spouts on both sides of Neptune and the fountain is surrounded by a flowerbed, separating it from surrounding traffic.

Overall, this is a nice landmark in Madrid. Would be nicer if traffic didn't limit access to the fountain. Still worth taking a minute or two to look at if you are planning to spend time in this area...

If you’ve ever wanted to see a Roman god looking mildly confused in the middle of a traffic circle, boy do I have a treat for you. Neptune, trident in hand, rises majestically from his chariot of sea horses… which looks suspiciously like he just yelled “¡Camarero!” and is waiting for a plate of patatas bravas.

Majestic? Yes. Moist? Absolutely. Functional? Only if your goal is to dramatically toss a coin and wish for sangria. You can't get close enough to actually feel the water, but you can risk your life dodging cars to snap a selfie—Neptune demands sacrifice.

Bonus: FC Atlético fans gather here to celebrate wins, which means Neptune probably knows more about soccer than I do. A must-see if you're into mythology, fountains, or statues that look like they could crush your enemies and still make it to happy hour.

10/10 would admire from a safe...