Designed by architect Manuel Herrero Palacios the Fuente del Cielo stands before you. It was erected in 1969. The fountain is crafted from granite. Admire the two bronze figures of the water nymphs. They were sculpted by Antonio Campillo Párraga.
Fuente del Cielo means Sky Fountain. It sits in the Plaza de España. This square is a significant landmark in Madrid.
Have you heard the expression “De Madrid al cielo?” It translates to “From Madrid to Heaven.” Locals use it to express pride in their city. Some say Madrid is as close to heaven as you can get on Earth.
One theory suggests the saying originated when Madrid’s sanitation was poor. The only good thing about Madrid was the sky above it. During King Carlos III’s reign the city improved greatly. It became the capital of Spain. People could finally say “From Madrid to Heaven”.
The playwright Luis Quiñones de Benavente first wrote down this saying. He wrote “From the cradle to Madrid and from Madrid to the sky”. Some connect the saying to a legend. The legend says that the souls of Madrid’s dead rise to the sky from Garabitas hill.
The expression means there’s no place like Madrid. Madrid is full of art history and culture. The Fuente del Cielo embodies this sentiment. It reflects the beauty and aspirations of Madrid.
As you stand here consider the fountain’s name. Think about the expression “De Madrid al cielo”. Let the Sky Fountain remind you of Madrid’s unique charm. It is a city that reaches for the heavens. This city blends history legend and aspiration. It’s a place where the earth seems to touch the sky.