The turning on of the fountains of La Granja de San Ildefonso is an impressive night show that you cannot miss. These fountains, located in the gardens of the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, are not in operation throughout the year due to water shortages, but on special dates, Patrimonio Nacional allows you to enjoy their magnificence.
Built in lead and painted to imitate bronze and marble, the fountains form a rich sculptural ensemble and are among the best preserved of their time. Their original eighteenth-century hydraulic system, based on falling pressure, is one of the best preserved in Europe's historic gardens. This system allows some fountains to reach jets of up to 50 meters high, thanks to the water coming from streams that fill the “El Mar” pond, located in the highest part of the garden, with a capacity of 216,000 m³. In addition, there are eight other ponds and reservoirs, located at different heights, to prevent the pressure of some fountains from affecting others.
The Royal Site of La Granja de San Ildefonso, declared a Historic Monumental Site, is a sample of the monarchic splendor of the 18th century. Philip V, the first Bourbon to reign in Spain, fell in love with this place in 1717 and decided to build a palace and gardens there to remind him of his childhood in the French court of his grandfather Louis XIV.
Among the numerous fountains of the Royal Site, the Fountain of the Baths of Diana is especially noteworthy. This fountain is the last to be built in the garden and represents the mythological legend of Actaeon and Diana. According to legend, Actaeon, a hunter, surprised the goddess Diana while she was bathing. In punishment for his daring, Diana transformed him into a dog, and Actaeon was devoured by his own dogs.
The Fountain of Diana's Baths is remarkable for its design and the visual effect it creates with its waterfalls. Water sprays from an upper vase and two side vases, and these jets are reinforced by water thrown by two lions. The water falls at various levels, forming cascades that further embellish the sculptural ensemble that accompanies the goddess Diana. This fountain has its own night tour, where lights and water combine to offer an amazing spectacle.
During the nighttime shows, the lights adapt perfectly to the fountains, creating a magical atmosphere enhanced by the original 18th century hydraulic system. The Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso, located just an hour from Madrid, is an incredible natural space where stands a rococo style palace, Felipe V's favorite. This place, which the monarch chose to get away from it all during his summer seasons, has 146 hectares of gardens and forests, and 26 fountains designed by artists such as René Férmin, Jean Thierry, Dumandrè and Pitué, each with references to classical mythology.
This bucolic setting of extreme beauty is a destination that should be on your list of plans when you visit Madrid. Like the monarch, you will fall in love with this place, where history, nature and art come together to offer an unforgettable experience.
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Hi, thank you for your kind words and for welcoming me to the DJI Forum community! I'm glad to share my experience and footage with everyone. I appreciate the support and will definitely reach out if I have any questions. Safe flights to you too!
Discover Spain Posted at 7-28 09:20
By the way, I forgot to mention that the fountain on the video is called "Baños de Diana", Diana's Bath, as you name or nickname on the forum
Thanks a lot! The fountains are truly magical, especially at night. But it's a shame that they can only be seen with water on a few days throughout the year.
Discover Spain Posted at 8-17 02:21
Thanks a lot! The fountains are truly magical, especially at night. But it's a shame that they can only be seen with water on a few days throughout the year.
You're welcome.
Yeah, too much water use probably .
Discover Spain Posted at 8-18 02:57
According to the information I have managed to find, 250 litres per second. As the fountain was running for one hour, 900,000 litres of water.
Yeah indeed. I can imagine that won't be good for a country in drought.
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