Fountain of Cybele

The Fountain of Cybele is a late 18th-century neoclassical fountain on Madrid’s Plaza de Cibeles that depicts the Phrygian earth mother goddess Cybele riding a chariot pulled by two lions. It is one of the city’s best-known monuments and a long-standing symbol of Madrid.

The sculptural group sits at a major city junction where several principal avenues meet and is frequently used as a backdrop for public events and celebrations. The fountain is accessible on foot from surrounding streets and is widely photographed both day and night.

The work was completed in the late 1700s as part of urban improvements and has since become integrated into Madrid’s civic identity. It has been preserved and restored over time as traffic patterns and the plaza around it have evolved.

The fountain occupies the centre of Plaza de Cibeles at the intersection of Paseo del Prado and Calle de Alcale1 in central Madrid, within walking distance of major museums and government buildings.

• Iconic sculpture: The fountain dates from the late 18th century and depicts the earth mother goddess seated in a chariot pulled by two lions, making it an emblematic city symbol.
• Best time to visit: It is a popular spot for photographs and civic celebrations and is often illuminated at night, providing strong evening visual appeal.