Fuente de Santa María

Fuente de Santa María is a Renaissance fountain positioned in the city's main plaza, surrounded by the cathedral and other significant civic buildings. The structure features multiple tiers with sculpted support figures and columns that frame the water basin.

The fountain was built in the mid-1500s as a monument to the completion of a major water supply project that brought water to the city. The work represented a significant civic achievement under royal patronage.

The fountain serves as a gathering point where the square's social life unfolds, and visitors can see the sculpted female figures that frame the water feature up close. These details reflect the artistic ambitions of the time and make the space feel lived-in rather than purely monumental.

The fountain is easily located in the city center and accessible to all visitors without barriers. The best time to visit is early in the day before crowds gather on the plaza.

The water travels through an underground system spanning several kilometers from a distant mountain source to feed the fountain. This hidden infrastructure underneath the ornate structure made the city's growth and daily life possible.