Fuente de los Gigantones: Granada's Traveling Fountain
The Fuente de los Gigantones, also known as the Fuente de Neptuno, stands as the centerpiece of Granada's bustling Plaza de Bib-Rambla. This grand Baroque fountain, carved from stone and marble in the 17th century, features a wealth of allegorical and mythological details, making it a popular landmark for locals and visitors alike.
The Journey of a Traveling Fountain
The fountain has had a migratory existence, earning it the informal title of a "traveling fountain." It was originally carved in the second half of the 17th century for the cloister of the Convent of the Agustinos Calzados, a religious order of Augustinian Friars. The convent once stood where the San Agustín Market is located today.
Following the 19th-century confiscation of church property, the convent was demolished, forcing the fountain's first move to the Paseo del Salón. In 1892, it was relocated again to the Paseo de la Bomba. Its final journey concluded in 1940 when it was installed in its current home in the Plaza de Bib-Rambla. This last move was a decision by the mayor at the time, Antonio Gallego Burín, as part of his vision for the city's urban planning.
Mythological and Religious Symbolism
The fountain's design is rich with symbolic figures. Crowning the monument is a statue of Neptune, the mythological god of the sea, holding his characteristic trident. His other hand is raised skyward in a posture that evokes traditional depictions of the Resurrected Christ.
Supporting the main basin are four grotesque figures, known as "gigantones" or giants. These faun-like figures were, in some interpretations related to the fountain's original monastic setting, understood to symbolize sin being crushed beneath the sacred structure.
A Central Landmark in Granada
Today, the Fuente de los Gigantones is a prominent feature of public life in Granada. Situated in the heart of Plaza de Bib-Rambla, it serves as a popular meeting point for organized city tours and a favored spot for relaxation and photography. Its presence marks a tangible link to the city's dynamic urban evolution through the 19th and 20th centuries.
FAQ
Why is the Fuente de los Gigantones called a 'traveling fountain'?
It earned the nickname because it was moved at least four times after leaving its original convent setting. It was relocated to the Paseo del Salón, then the Paseo de la Bomba, before being permanently installed in Plaza de Bib-Rambla in 1940.
Who is the figure at the top of the Fuente de los Gigantones?
The figure crowning the fountain is the mythological god Neptune. He holds his signature trident in one hand.
Where was the fountain originally located?
The fountain was originally created in the mid-17th century for the cloister of the Convent of the Agustinos Calzados, which was later demolished. The San Agustín Market now stands on the former convent site.
