Cibeles Fountain
Cibeles Fountain is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Madrid audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~20 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type monument
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Madrid Madrid guide
About Cibeles Fountain
Madrid's most iconic fountain (1782), the goddess Cybele on her chariot pulled by lions, surrounded by the grand Palacio de Comunicaciones and flanked by majestic Belle Époque buildings at the city's most ceremonial intersection.
The Fuente de la Cibeles is arguably the single most recognisable image of Madrid, a white Carrara marble fountain at the intersection of the Paseo del Prado and the Calle de Alcalá, depicting the Greek-Roman goddess Cybele seated on her lion-drawn chariot. Designed by Ventura Rodríguez and built between 1777 and 1782 on the orders of King Charles III, it was originally placed in the middle of what is now the Paseo del Prado. The goddess is surrounded by four imposing Belle Époque buildings, the Palacio de Comunicaciones (now Madrid's City Hall, to the northeast), the Palacio de Linares (now Casa de América), the Banco de España, and the Palacio de Buenavista. Since 1986, the fountain has been the traditional celebration spot for Real Madrid football club after major trophy victories, when hundreds of thousands of fans converge here.
Did you know? During the Spanish Civil War, the Cibeles Fountain was carefully packed with sandbags to protect it from bombing raids, a testament to how much Madrileños love it.
How long should you spend at Cibeles Fountain?
Plan about ~20 min at Cibeles Fountain. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is Cibeles Fountain worth visiting?
Cibeles Fountain is one of the 45 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Madrid, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Madrid
Hear the story of Cibeles Fountain
Preview the Madrid tour free in the Gingerguide app.