Fuente del Berro, Urban fountain in Salamanca district, Madrid, Spain
Fuente del Berro is a natural spring with a stone basin set within parkland in eastern Madrid, surrounded by trees and green spaces. The water emerges from the ground at its source and was historically distributed throughout the city via channels.
The spring was used from the 15th century onward to supply royal households with water, prompting King Philip IV to build a nearby estate. Later, it became part of Madrid's broader water distribution system that served the growing city.
The name comes from the watercress plant that once grew at the spring, and local people relied on this water as part of their daily routines. The fountain marks a place where water carriers gathered to collect what they needed for their work across the city.
The location is easy to reach by walking through the adjacent park, which offers ample green space for exploration. It is a calm spot for strolling, especially under the old trees that provide shade.
The water had notably high mineral content, distinguishing it from other sources in the city and earning the local name 'aguas gordas'. This special composition made it sought after by residents across the centuries.
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