La Foncalada, Pre-Romanesque fountain in Oviedo, Spain
La Foncalada is a pre-Romanesque fountain in Oviedo with a rectangular pool covered by an arch and barrel vault, displaying the Victory Cross symbol on its front. The structure uses natural spring water and was built from carefully cut stone to distribute water to the city.
Built during the reign of King Alfonso III between 866 and 910, the fountain is the only surviving civil structure from the Early Middle Ages built for public use. This period marked an important phase in Asturian history when Christian kingdoms were improving infrastructure for their growing cities.
The Latin inscriptions carved into the stones reference religious protection, showing how fountains in the medieval period served both practical and spiritual purposes for the community. Visitors can still sense this connection between daily use and religious faith by looking at the carved words today.
The fountain is located on Calle Foncalada near the Campoamor Theatre and is easily accessible on foot. Guided walking tours connect this site to other medieval monuments in the city, helping visitors understand the broader history of Oviedo.
The structure actually taps into a natural underground spring that flows directly beneath the fountain and has been running continuously for over 1000 years. This underground water supply was the secret that made the fountain so functional, while other medieval structures in the region have long since disappeared.
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