Abreuvoir de Marly-le-Roi, Royal castle water structure in Marly-le-Roi, France.
The Abreuvoir de Marly-le-Roi is a horse trough featuring two connected basins designed for watering horses during the royal era. The upper basin includes three water jets, while the lower section slopes gently to allow easy access for drinking animals.
Construction began in 1687 under Louis XIV and was completed around 1698 following designs by Jules Hardouin-Mansart. The celebrated horse statues were added later and represent masterpieces of royal sculpture created in the 18th century.
The horse statues draw inspiration from classical mythology and represent royal power through animal strength. Visitors today can observe how the sculptural group still conveys a sense of human dominion over nature.
This feature is located within the palace grounds and is accessible via marked paths that connect to other royal structures throughout the park. Comfortable shoes are recommended as the paths can be uneven and the site sits on gently sloping terrain.
The structure incorporates a surprising decoration of thousands of Caribbean seashells individually wired onto the supporting walls in intricate patterns. This use of exotic materials reflects the royal obsession of the era with rare resources brought back from distant lands.
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