The Fountain of the Pear Tree Canals (') is an ancient fountain discovered buried under the
Plaza de Isabel II in
Madrid
Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...
, 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 late summer into mid-autumn. The pear tree and shrub are a species of genus ''Pyrus'' , in the family Rosaceae, bearing the pomaceous fruit of the sa ...
that shaded the
source spring at the fountain's location. The fountain is also known as the ' (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 (), also often called a Turkish bath by Westerners, is a type of steam bath or a place of public bathing associated with the Islamic world. It is a prominent feature in the culture of the Muslim world and was inherited from the model ...
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
Ashlar () is a cut and dressed stone, worked using a chisel to achieve a specific form, typically rectangular in shape. The term can also refer to a structure built from such stones.
Ashlar is the finest stone masonry unit, and is generally ...
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.
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Americas
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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 () is an opera house in Madrid, Spain. Located at the Plaza de Oriente, opposite the Royal Palace, and known colloquially as "''El Real''" (The Royal One). it is considered the top institution of the performing and musical arts ...
, 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 demol ...
, 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 the Community of Madrid
Fountains in Madrid
Buildings and structures in Palacio neighborhood, Madrid