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The Grand Cascade Fountain in Barcelona (also called the Citadel Cascade or the Cascade Monument) stands out among others even in Barcelona, ​​rich in fountains. Partly because he is in one of the most famous parks of the city - Citadel Park. Partially - because almost all of the best sculptors and architects of the time, including the most famous barcelona, ​​Antonio Gaudi, have put their hand to it.

The main form of the fountain was designed by the architect Jouzép Fonsere (he, by the way, built a lot of things in Barcelona) , the water part and hydraulics were designed by Antonio Gaudi - and in this form the fountain was opened to the public in 1881. There were no sculptures on it at that time, except for small medallions with lizards, which were invented by Gaudi. Over the next 6 years, the fountain was continuously decorated with sculptures, and its present form it took by 1888 - to the World Exhibition in Spain.

The fountain turned out magnificent, but at the same time surprisingly elegant. Gaudi lizards are not very similar to other elements, but in themselves are terribly funny.

Overall

The fountain is a complex of artificial small waterfalls and water tanks communicating with each other. The center of the complex is a triumphal arch with three apertures, to it there are 2 pavilions and 2 wings with stairs. Before this construction there is actually a fountain, divided into 2 levels - water flows from the first level to the second through an artificially created "step."

Behind the main complex is an artificial grotto, all elements are decorated with sculptures of Greco-Roman deities, and along the perimeter - figures griffins. The deities are different, but everything is connected with ancient Mediterranean mythology: in the center are statues of Neptune and his wife Amphitrite, on the pediment - a statue of Venus, etc.

Sculptures

The most curious is sculptures. In addition to medallions with lizards, which made Gaudi, there are many and larger elements.

The most famous is probably the Aurora chariot. It is a bronze sculpture that depicts the goddess of the dawn of the Aurora, riding a chariot drawn by four horses. It is set on top of a triumphal arch. This sculpture was made by Rosende Nobas - the famous Spanish sculptor. Nobas also created sculptural groups depicting Pan and the faunas

It should be said that the unrecognized sculptors and architects did not participate in the creation of this fountain

The central sculptural composition depicts the birth of Venus, traditionally born of the sea. The sketch for it was created by two brothers-sculptor Venansi and Agapit Valmitzhana.

Figures of cupids (totally 8), which adorn the entrances and some other elements, as well as the statue of Amphitrite, was created by the sculptor JUzez Gamo. The pediment is adorned with a statue of Venus, surrounded by cupids by Francesc Pagès-e-Serratosa.

There is also a sculpture of Danais with cupid created by Joan Fleet and sculpture of Leda with the swan of Manuel Fuchs. Manuel Fuchs created Neptune sculpture in the center of the main complex.

The fountain turned out magnificent, but surprisingly elegant. Gaudi lizards are not very similar to other elements, but in themselves are terribly amusing. All the above sculptors are the best masters of Spain

The fountain is in a large, beautiful park, in which there are other attractions - the Barcelona Zoo, the Museum of Zoology, the Museum of Geology, the old building of Arsenal, and many curious sculptures. Also there are a lot of rare plants.
"Big cascade"

Practical information

Official address: Barcelona, ​​pg. Picasso, 1, Ciudadela Park. The nearest metro stations are Ciutadella / Vila Olimpica and Arc de Triomf, but there are a lot of other stations nearby.

The park is open from 10:00 to 22:00 in summer, and in other seasons - until the sun sets, that is constantly changes.