Cascada fountain

The magnificent Cascada fountain is the park’s highlight, inspired by the Trevi Fountain. But what’s the story behind it? Let’s set the scene. Barcelona is preparing to host the upcoming Universal Exhibition. Josep Fontserè, the park’s architect, and Antoni Gaudí, unknown at the time, are tasked with building something to impress visitors. They installed crab-claw-shaped staircases leading up to a platform, inviting people to climb up and admire the statues from up close. In the centre, at the top of the small stone tower, you can see Venus emerging from her shell. The golden Quadriga of Dawn monument sits above, seemingly about to leap forward. The chariot, pulled by four horses, is driven by the Greek goddess of the morning, Eos, also known as Aurora. Her sisters are Helois, the sun god, and Selena, goddess of the moon. Eos brings the morning light, sprinkling dew over the earth. The “dew” is actually the tears she sheds for her son Memnon, killed by Achilles during the Trojan War. The goddess of the morning is depicted bringing light to the Parc de la Ciutadella, as the new Universal Exhibition approaches. Truly a powerful symbol.