Water jet of the second basin of the Fountain of the Lions, 1837
Place: Museum of the Alhambra. Hall IV. Palace of Charles V
Date: From July 2008 to December 2010. Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00am to 2.00pm (july-september 15th) and 9:00am to 2.30pm (september 16th-march).
The Fountain of the Lions (Fuente de los Leones) has undergone different renovation and restoration works with the addition of elements that have altered the medieval pattern and the compositive equilibrium of the courtyard.
According to the documents of the Archive, the Fountain of the Lions radically changed its aspect in the second half of the 16th century. The modification consisted of the formalisation of a pyramidal structure by raising the central supporting cylinder and the main basin by means of balusters apparently supported on the back of the lions, and the addition of a second basin that hided the medieval water jet.
In 1624 the sculptor Alonso de Mena performs restoration and cleaning works on the fountain.
By 1837 the top water jet is added to “beautify” the Fountain.
After the performance of different restoration and observation works by 1945, in July 1966 the Fountain recovers its original state by dismantling the alternative additions and the water jet of the second basin of the Fountain of the Lions is taken to the Museum of the Alhambra.
In 2007 the water jet was restored thanks to an intervention works conducted at the Restoration Shop of the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife.