Barcelona's Gothic Quarter is home to two of the city's oldest fountains, with one dating back to 1367. These historical structures, located in Plaça de Sant Just and Carrer Cucurulla, provide a tangible link to centuries of urban life and water provision in the Catalan capital.
Recently, an image circulated showing the degraded state of the Pla de la Boqueria fountain, a neoclassical monument from 1830. While significant, this fountain is far from being the city's most ancient. Barcelona's fountains, both ornamental and functional, tell a story of societal evolution and the quality of life for its residents over time.
Sant Just Fountain: A 14th-Century Treasure
The Sant Just fountain, situated in Plaça de Sant Just, at the corner of Carrer Lledó and Palma de Sant Just, opposite the Basilica of Saints Just and Pastor, is considered Barcelona's oldest. Research by historians suggests it was built around 1367. This site has been declared a cultural asset of local interest.
Legend says the fountain was constructed to honour Joan Fiveller, who discovered a water spring while hunting in the Collserola mountain range. Originally, the fountain featured three bronze spouts emerging directly from a stone wall, flanked by three human heads. A significant renovation in 1831 gave the Gothic fountain its current neoclassical appearance. This reform also addressed the prohibition of necropolises within the city, as the fountain was previously next to the parish cemetery in the square. The restoration included adding a terracotta balustrade. Today, the three human heads remain, but there are now two spouts instead of three.
The Fountain of Santa Anna
Another ancient fountain, originally known as the Font d'en Moranta and later as the Font de Santa Anna, was built in 1356 and is located at the start of Carrer Cucurulla. This emblematic fountain has five sections, and its later ornamental ceramic mosaic is the work of Josep Aragay. Further down, Carrer Cucurulla connects with Carrer de Portaferrissa, where another notable fountain from 1680, decorated with tiles by ceramist Joan Baptista Guivernau, can be found.
These surviving fountains highlight the historical importance of water sources in Barcelona's development and continue to be cherished elements of the city's architectural heritage. Ongoing preservation efforts aim to maintain these structures for future generations, ensuring their stories continue to flow.
