La Foncalada
| Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias * | |
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| Country | Spain |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | ii, iv, vi |
| Reference | 312 |
| Region ** | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1985 (9th Session) |
| Extensions | 1998 |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List ** Region as classified by UNESCO |
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Coordinates: 43°21′55.1″N 5°50′45.8″W / 43.365306°N 5.846056°W The Foncalada is a fountain of potable water located outside the city walls of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain; it was built by king Alfonso III of Asturias in the 9th century. This building remains the only surviving civil architectural item for public use of the High Middle Ages. Its name was given after the inscription in Latin: fontem calatam written on it. Built in Pre-Romanesque style, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 1998.
It was originally placed near the city walls, next to the an ancient roman road. The decoration on top depicts the Victory Cross, symbol of Asturias.
[edit] Building
This public fountain is erected over a spring. The source is a rectangle of about 4 metres (13 ft) wide. It has a shape of a vaulted chapel and is crowned by the royal ensign of the Victory Cross. Below the Asturian Cross, two inscriptions remain:
(Hoc Sign) O Tvetvr Pivs, Hoc Signo Vi (Ncitvr, Inimicvs)
"With this sign the pious are protected, With this sign you shall defeat the enemy"
(Signvm Salvtis Po) Ne Domine In Fonte (Ista Vt Non Permitas) Introire Angelvm Percv (Tientem)
"Lord, put the sign of the salvation on this fountain to not allow hitting angel to enter"
[edit] External references
- Estudio de la morfología de las piedras de la Universidad de Oviedo
- Mirabilia Ovetensia:Ficha, reconstrucciones infográficas, y visita virtual al monumento.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Fuente de Foncalada, Oviedo |
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