Right here before us stands the Fuente de los Bastones. This landmark is more than just a fountain. It’s a story etched in stone and water.
The Fuente de los Bastones is in Naucalpan in Mexico. Many attractions surround this sublime place. It is a major landmark for motorists.
Originally, the Fuente de los Bastones was part of a larger work. This reworking transformed an urban space. The fountains were once the centerpiece of a simple glorieta. It was on Avenida Ejercito Nacional.
In 1949, the original quatrefoil fountain was dedicated. It was officially named the “Fuente de la Nereida”. The shape of the fountains led to a more popular name. It became known as the “Fuente de los Hongos” or Fountain of the Mushrooms.
Enrique Martínez del Campo designed the original fountain. He drew inspiration from Carlo Maderna’s fountain in Saint Peter’s Plaza in Rome. The water streaming over the hemispheric shapes gives it a mushroom appearance. Each fountain is large. This gives an idea of the original glorieta’s scale.
Manuel Mendoza created a sculpture of Nereida. Nereida is a mythical daughter of Poseidon. This sculpture crowned the glorieta until 1975. The Circuito Interior was built then. Today, the Nereida resides in the Jardín de la Ninfa. It is in Azcapotzalco.
The four corner gardens each have a mushroom fountain. They are like leaves of a cloverleaf. Each is in a different neighborhood.
The Fuente de los Bastones is a testament to art. It is also a testament to urban planning and history. It may seem like just a place for public transport. It is a landmark.
As you stand here at the Fuente de los Bastones consider its journey. Think about its transformation. It started as a simple fountain. Then it became a celebrated landmark.
The Fuente de los Bastones connects us to the past. It links us to artistic inspiration. It reminds us of the ever-changing urban landscape.
So next time you pass by this fountain take a moment. Appreciate the history. Admire the art. Reflect on the journey of the Fuente de los Bastones.