La Alcantarilla y Fuentes de San Pedro Plaque

Where Segovia Street now stands, imagine a babbling brook, the Matrice, possibly the origin of Madrid’s name. The La Alcantarilla y Fuentes de San Pedro Plaque commemorates this very spot, a pivotal point in Madrid’s earliest history. This brook, essential for survival, dictated the settlement patterns of early hunter-gatherers. It nourished two key settlements, providing a haven in the valley. Historian Jaime Oliver Asín, in his “Historia del nombre ‘Madrid’”, highlights the importance of this valley near the Fuentes de San Pedro. It was sheltered, with plentiful water and the brook’s outlet. It served as the first nucleus of Madrid before its formal establishment as an Arab medina. The plaque stands as a testament to these humble beginnings. The Fuentes de San Pedro also played a key role in Madrid’s medieval life. King Alfonso the Wise referred to the area as the “arroyo de las fuentes de Sant Pedro”. The springs, located near the primitive church of San Pedro el Viejo, supplied water to the Moorish baths. These very baths, initially abandoned, were restored to service under King Alfonso’s rule. In the following century, a Moorish woman named Doña Xançi took charge. Utilizing the bath’s existing water channels, a new fountain known as “Alcantarilla” was built. The La Alcantarilla y Fuentes de San Pedro Plaque is a direct link to these layered histories. It’s a reminder of the vital role water played, from sustaining the first settlers to serving the needs of a growing city. In the 16th century, the brook, once so visible, was channeled underground by Juan de Herrera. It now flows hidden beneath Segovia Street, its presence only hinted at by this plaque. This plaque is a window into Madrid’s past. It tells a story of natural springs, essential waterways, and the life they brought to this historic city.