Fonte dos Cabalos

Fonte dos Cabalos (Santiago de Compostela) - Wikicommons

Santiago de Compostela is the city that gave impetus to the whole Jacobean phenomenon. Located in the north of the peninsula, the Galician capital is the last stop for pilgrims traveling from Portugal, Spain, France and even other countries around the world. Whether for religious beliefs or simply for personal improvement, visiting the cathedral and the remains of the apostle on the Camino de Santiago is one of the best adventures and a truly unforgettable experience. 

The aura that envelops the city makes the visit a most memorable journey. The streets are full of medieval references, so that throughout the capital you can find points of great historical and cultural interest. It is well known that the Cathedral of Santiago has Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque style, so that around it are also discovered artistic and architectural currents of different times Compostela.

The Fonte dos Cabalos would represent an allegory to the city of Santiago de Compostela.

The Fountain of the Horses, also known as Fonte dos Cabalos or Fonte das Praterías, is located in the Plaza de Platerías to the south of the Cathedral of Santiago. The space is made up of numerous Renaissance details, but right in the center of the square stands a fountain with four horses in the Baroque style that soon catches the eye. 

Built by J. Pernas in 1825, the Fonte dos Cabalos consists of four horses spouting water from the mouth. On the pedestal also rises the Arca Marmórica or Arca Marmárica, which is topped with a female figure holding up the star of Compostela. Over the centuries, the meaning has led to numerous interpretations. However, it is popularly believed to be an allegory of the city.