Rondebosch Fountain, historic site in Cape Town, South Africa
Rondebosch Fountain is a small cast-iron structure located at a busy intersection in the Rondebosch area of Cape Town. It features a round basin supported by decorative horse-shaped legs, a central post, and a lantern top, with water spouts designed for both animals and people to drink.
The fountain was made in 1891 at Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland, and brought to Rondebosch as a gift to the community. It was declared a National Monument in 1964, but was destroyed in a car accident in 2015 and later reconstructed from aluminium in 2020.
The name Moodie Fountain comes from George Pigot Moodie, a wealthy resident who donated it to the community. The fountain served as a gathering place where locals and their animals could stop for water, making it part of the daily rhythm of Rondebosch life.
The fountain sits at a busy intersection on the corner of Belmont and Main Road, making it easy to reach on foot, but be aware of heavy traffic. It is a good idea to check beforehand if water is available and to note safe spots to stand near the structure.
The original fountain was one of South Africa's first electric street lamps, with an illuminated lantern on top. After its destruction in 2015, it was carefully recreated by hand using over 2000 hours of work and remade in aluminium to make it more durable.
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