La Foncalada

La Foncalada is a fountain of potable water located outside the city walls of Oviedo; it was built by king Alfonso III of Asturias in the 9th century. This building remains the only surviving civil architectural item for public use of the Early Middle Ages. Its name was given after the inscription in Latin: fontem calatam written on it. Built in Pre-Romanesque style, it has been included with other Asturian Pre-Romanesque sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List since 1998.

It was originally placed near the city walls, next to an ancient Roman road. The decoration on top depicts the Victory Cross, symbol of Asturias.

This public fountain, which belongs to Oviedo Town Hall, is erected over a spring. The source is a rectangle of about 4 metres wide. It has a shape of a vaulted chapel and is crowned by the royal ensign of the Victory Cross.

Address
Calle Foncalada s/n, Oviedo, Spain

Established
9th century AD