Fuente de las Nereidas, Monumental fountain in Puerto Madero, Argentina.
Fuente de las Nereidas is a white marble fountain in Puerto Madero, the renovated docklands of Buenos Aires. Several female forms and seahorses emerge from the water and surround a central pool carried by a shell-shaped platform.
Lola Mora completed the work in 1903 using Carrara marble from Italy, surprising Buenos Aires as the first female sculptor of a large public installation. Originally planned for Plaza de Mayo, the piece moved to Costanera Sur in 1918, where it still stands by the water.
The name refers to sea figures from Greek legend who ride through waves on winged seahorses. A female form rises from a shell in the center, while water pours from several points in the marble base.
The fountain sits right on the shore between downtown and the river, marking a good starting point for a walk along the promenade. You can reach it easily on foot from Puerto Madero or coming from the ecological reserve at Costanera Sur.
The monument sparked debate when first installed because some viewers considered the carved bodies too daring for a public square. This reaction helped move it from the central plaza to the waterfront, where the piece now stands as one of the most visited outdoor artworks.
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