The Magic Fountain

This is the result of an inspired idea from the engineer Carles Buigas (son of Gaietà Buigas, the architect of the Columbus monument), who thought of creating a new type of jet fountain, where the artistic element would be the changing shape of the water. The Magic Fountain was one of the last projects on the site of the 1929 Universal Exhibition, which included the cascades and smaller fountains which fill Avinguda de Maria Cristina.

The centrepiece, however, is the monumental fountain built on a platform at the end of the avenue, for which it acts as a backdrop, along with the stairs. It lies halfway between the Palau Nacional and the Plaça d'Espanya fountain, where there used to be a large esplanade with the four huge columns by Puig i Cadafalch that symbolised the four stripes of the senyera, the Catalan flag, and were destroyed during the Primo de Rivera dictatorship. The Magic Fountain badly damaged during the Spanish Civil War, and remained out of operation until 1955, when the architect Buigas carried out repairs.

Further renovation work was carried out and music was incorporated into the visual show. In the 1990s the fountain underwent a complete overhaul and all its machinery and equipment - until then very rudimentary - were modernised.

The city has a large number of ornamental and drinking fountains, adding charm to the streets and squares.