The Madrid City Council has announced a new campaign of visits as part of the 'Open for restoration' programme, allowing over 3,600 citizens to observe the ongoing restoration work of the Cibeles fountain, one of the city's most iconic monuments.
Reservations for the visits will be available starting on 10 November at 10:00, with the programme running from 13 November to 13 December. Guided tours will be led by specialists in cultural heritage, providing participants with insights into the criteria and methodologies employed in the restoration process.
The initiative is sponsored by the Foro por Madrid and aims to enhance public understanding of the conservation efforts surrounding Madrid's historical heritage. Marta Rivera de la Cruz, the city’s delegate for Culture, Tourism and Sport, emphasised the importance of engaging citizens with the conservation work, stating, "This is an opportunity to better understand Madrid's history and appreciate the specialised work involved in its preservation."
Rivera de la Cruz added, "With 'Open for restoration', we want Madrid residents to approach this heritage in a different way, discovering how it is cared for and valuing the importance of transmitting it in the best conditions to future generations." By the end of the year, the city council will have made available over 6,300 slots for the public to learn firsthand about the restoration efforts at the Cibeles fountain.
A different perspective on the Cibeles fountain
Designed in 1777 by architect Ventura Rodríguez as part of the new Salón del Prado programme, the Cibeles fountain features a statue of the goddess Cybele on a chariot drawn by two lions. The fountain's construction involved contributions from Francisco Gutiérrez, who created the figure of the goddess and the chariot's wheels; Roberto Michel, responsible for the lions; and Miguel Ximénez, who designed the decorative friezes.
The 'Open for restoration' programme provides a unique opportunity to learn about the interventions taking place in the city's monuments and heritage assets, bringing the public closer to the technical processes and conservation criteria involved. This edition of the initiative is again supported by the Foro por Madrid.
