Fountain of the Pear Tree Canals
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Restos_Arqueologicos_Ca%C3%B1os_del_Peral_%283%29_%2811982713793%29.jpg/220px-Restos_Arqueologicos_Ca%C3%B1os_del_Peral_%283%29_%2811982713793%29.jpg)
The Fountain of the Pear Tree Canals (Spanish: Fuente de los Caños del Peral) is an ancient fountain discovered buried under the Plaza de Isabel II in Madrid, Spain, in 2009.[1] The name comes after a 13th-century pear tree that shaded the source spring at the fountain's location. The fountain has also been known as the Spanish: Lavadero de los Caños del Peral (Laundry of the Pear Tree Canals).[1]
Background
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Ca%C3%B1os_peral_plano_XVII.jpg/220px-Ca%C3%B1os_peral_plano_XVII.jpg)
The fountain was documented variously in the 15th century as Hontanillas or Fontanillas and is thought to have been one of the first Turkish baths in Madrid.[2][3] Water from the canals supplied the population of Madrid through a distribution system made up of water carriers.[4] The water was also used by the “lavadores,” or clothes washers. The discovered part was built in the 17th century and was originally 34 m (112 ft) in length, occupying a small valley at the end of Arenal Street.[1] It featured granite ashlars in a padded style.[2]
The fountains shared the water from the spring with the royal palace until the mid 18th century.[2] The spring water was transported to the palace via an aqueduct named the Amaniel.[1][2] It continued to be used as a fountain until it was buried in 1809.[2] It was buried 8 m (26 ft) deep, along with the spring's source, and was paved over to prepare for the building of the Teatro Real, the Plaza de Oriente, and the Plaza de Isabel II .[2]
Work began on reconditioning the Ópera Metro station that served the Teatro Real and the two plazas in 2009, which caused the fountain to be rediscovered.[1][2] Once the restorative work was completed in 2011 the upgraded station, now including an archeological museum, was opened to the public.[2] The museum showcases the fountain of the canals along with other relics found at the site, such as original parts of the Arenal Sewer, and the royal Amaniel Aqueduct.[1] The museum, accessed from the lobby of the Ópera station, is 200 m2 (2,200 sq ft) in size and free to anyone with a metro ticket.[1] Madrid has a reputation for being built on water.[2]
A replica of a small part of the fountains was erected in the Plaza Isabel to honour the discovery.[2]
Gallery
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Arenal Sewer
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Arenal Sewer
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Royal Amaniel Aqueduct
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Royal Amaniel Aqueduct
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Royal Amaniel Aqueduct
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Museo de los Caños del Peral". Mirado Madrid. 2015-06-25. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
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: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Fuente de los Caños del Peral". Routes Through History. 2015-09-18. Retrieved 2015-09-18.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Castellanos, José (2005). El Madrid de los Reyes Católicos. Madrid: Ediciones La Librería. p. 114. ISBN 9788496470101.
- ^ "Caños del Peral Museum of Archaeology". ES Madrid. 2019-04-09. Retrieved 2017-06-25.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
Media related to Museo Arqueológico Caños del Peral at Wikimedia Commons
Media related to Fountain of los Caños del Peral at Wikimedia Commons