The Fountain of the Pear Tree Canals ('' es, Fuente de los Caños del Peral'') is an ancient fountain discovered buried under the Plaza de Isabel II in

Madrid Madrid ( , ) is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), and ...

, Spain, in 2009. The name comes from a 13th-century

pear tree Pears are fruits produced and consumed around the world, growing on a tree and harvested in the Northern Hemisphere in late summer into October. The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus ''Pyrus'' , in the family Rosaceae, bearing the po ...

that shaded the source spring at the fountain's location. The fountain is also known as the '' es, Lavadero de los Caños del Peral'' (Laundry of the Pear Tree Canals).

Background

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 A hammam ( ar, حمّام, translit=ḥammām, tr, hamam) or Turkish bath is a type of steam bath or a place of public bathing associated with the Islamic world. It is a prominent feature in the Islamic culture, culture of the Muslim world and ...

in Madrid. Water from the canals supplied the population of Madrid through a distribution system made up of

water carrier Water carrier (also water seller) is a profession that existed before the advent of centralized water supply systems. A water carrier collected water from a source (a river, a well, water pumps, etc.) and transported or carried containers with w ...

s. The water was also used by the “lavadores,” or clothes washers. The discovered part was built in the 17th century and was originally in length, occupying a small valley at the end of Arenal Street. It featured granite ashlars in a padded style. The fountains shared the water from the spring with the

royal palace This is a list of royal palaces, sorted by continent. Africa * Abdin Palace, Cairo * Al-Gawhara Palace, Cairo * Koubbeh Palace, Cairo * Tahra Palace, Cairo * Menelik Palace * Jubilee Palace * Guenete Leul Palace * Imperial Palace- Massa ...

until the mid 18th century. The spring water was transported to the palace via an aqueduct named the Amaniel. It continued to be used as a fountain until it was buried in 1809. It was buried deep, along with the spring's source, and was paved over to prepare for the building of the

Teatro Real The Teatro Real (Royal Theatre) is an opera house in Madrid, Spain. Located at the Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace of Madrid, Royal Palace, and known colloquially as ''El Real'', it is considered the top institution of the performing a ...

, the

Plaza de Oriente The Plaza de Oriente is a square in the historic center of Madrid, Spain. Rectangular in shape and monumental in character, it was designed in 1844 by Narciso Pascual y Colomer. The square was propagated by King Joseph I, who ordered the demolit ...

, and the Plaza de Isabel II. Work began on reconditioning the Ópera Metro station that served the Teatro Real and the two plazas in 2009, which led to the rediscovery of the fountain. Once the restorative work was completed in 2011 the upgraded station, now including an archeological museum, was opened to the public. The museum showcases the fountain of the canals along with other relics found at the site, such as the original parts of the Arenal Sewer, and the royal Amaniel Aqueduct. The museum, accessed from the lobby of the Ópera station, is in size and free to anyone with a metro ticket. Madrid has a reputation for being built on water. A replica of a small part of the fountains was erected in the Plaza Isabel to honour the discovery.

Gallery

File:Restos Arqueologicos Caños del Peral (2) (11982714903).jpg , Arenal Sewer File:Restos Arqueologicos Caños del Peral (5) (11982400275) (2).jpg , Arenal Sewer File:®^® "MADRID mi COMUNIDAD" PROGRAMA de MANO - panoramio (21).jpg , Royal Amaniel Aqueduct File:Restos Arqueologicos Caños del Peral (8) (11982708163).jpg , Royal Amaniel Aqueduct File:Restos Arqueologicos Caños del Peral (6) (11983240756).jpg , Royal Amaniel Aqueduct

References

External links

*{{commons category-inline, Fountain of los Caños del Peral Archaeological sites in Spain Archaeological discoveries in Spain