Artichoke Fountain

Originally located on the roundabout next to the Atocha train station, this fountain was one of the first monuments visitors to Madrid saw when they left the station.

Made of granite and white stone, it formed part of Ventura Rodríguez’s project to renovate the Salón del Prado during the reign of Charles III. In 1880, however, realising it was obstructing the flow of traffic, the decision was taken to move it to Plaza de Honduras in El Retiro Park, near Galápagos Fountain, a stone's throw from the lake.

The monument features characteristic baroque motifs, including marine deities, plants and water, as an indispensable element for life. At the top of the fountain an artichoke can be seen, a plant much appreciated for its medicinal properties and culinary use. Flanking a round base, a triton and a nereid are holding up the city’s coat of arms.

In 1987, as part of the works to renovate the Glorieta de Carlos V roundabout, an exact replica of the Artichoke Fountain was placed in the centre of the roundabout.