Fountain of Apollo

The Fountain of Apollo is a neoclassical fountain along Paseo del Prado that displays Apollo riding in a chariot pulled by horses. Four additional figures surrounding the central statue represent the seasons and form a complete sculptural composition.

Francisco Gutierrez designed the fountain between 1777 and 1781 during the reign of King Charles III. The project emerged as part of a larger urban redesign of the Paseo del Prado.

The name Apollo refers to the ancient sun god, whose depiction stands at the center of the fountain and draws visitors directly into classical mythology. Around the main figure, the four seasons appear as allegorical characters that underscore the site's year-round significance in how locals and visitors perceive this part of the city.

The fountain sits at the intersection of Paseo del Prado and Calle de Felipe IV and is easily accessible by metro. The surrounding area has multiple museums and is walkable from the city center.

The monument is part of a series of three famous fountains along Paseo del Prado, each telling a different mythological or allegorical story. Together they form a kind of open-air museum of neoclassical sculpture.