“Ever wonder why a fisherman casting nets stands proudly in Mexico City?” I ask. The Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue is more than just a sculpture. It’s a story of brotherhood between Mexico City and Madrid.
This fountain is a replica. The original stands in the Plaza de Cibeles in Madrid. That one was created by Ventura Rodríguez between 1777 and 1792. Our Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue arrived much later. It was installed in 1980 and refurbished in 2011.
The Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue is located in Plaza Villa de Madrid. Here, Oaxaca, Durango, Medellín and El Oro streets meet in Colonia Roma. This plaza and the statue have become iconic sights in Mexico City.
The goddess Cybele is central to this fountain’s symbolism. Cybele was a Roman goddess of fertility. She wears a crown and holds a scepter and key. These represent her power over Earth and the seasons. Two lions pull her carriage. These lions symbolize Hippomenes and Atalanta. Zeus turned them into lions.
José López Portillo, the Mexican President, inaugurated the Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue. The Madrid mayor, Enrique Tierno Galván, and Mexico City mayor, Carlos Hank González, also attended. This grand event took place on September 5, 1980.
The plaza where the Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue stands has its own history. It was once the Plaza of Miraville, dating back to the 19th century. A well beneath the plaza once supplied drinking water to Colonia Roma. The Spanish immigrants donated this copy of the Spanish fountain to Mexico.
In 2011, the fountain received much-needed attention. Mayor Marcelo Ebrard oversaw its maintenance and refurbishment. Missing pieces were replaced. Bronze sculptures were restored. The water system was rehabilitated and green areas were improved. The lighting was upgraded to reduce energy consumption. The reinauguration took place on January 21, 2011.
The Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue is quite large. It measures 12.5 meters long, 4.7 meters wide, and 5.5 meters tall. It weighs 12 tons. You can easily reach it. It’s near Metro Insurgentes and the Durango Metrobus station. The statue sits in a traffic circle, surrounded by stores and restaurants. Once a week, a flea market sets up here. It’s known as “el tianguis de la Cibeles” or “el bazar de Oro.”
The Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue symbolizes the bond between Spain and Mexico. The Spanish ambassador, Manuel Alabart, expressed gratitude for the 2011 renovations. He said it strengthened the ties between Madrid and Mexico City.
Even the surrounding business district reflects a Madrilenian style. Interestingly, fans of the Spanish soccer team often gather here to celebrate victories. The Fuente con el Pescador arrojando las redes Statue isn’t just a monument. It’s a vibrant symbol of friendship, culture, and celebration. It connects two cities across the ocean. It reminds us of shared history and lasting bonds.