Bartholdi Fountain
1-8 Place des Terreaux, Lyon, France
Description:
The Bartholdi Fountain is located in one of the main squares of Lyon and is a symbol of the city, which is often depicted on calendars and postcards. The architect Frederick Bartholdi won a competition announced in 1857 by the municipality of Bordeaux. The grand opening of the building took place in 1892, to date it has been preserved in its original form. In 2005, lighting was added to it, which perfectly emphasizes the sculptural group.
The basis of the composition of the Bartholdi fountain is France, represented in the image of a woman riding a chariot. The latter is drawn by four horses, which symbolize the four main rivers - the Son, the Rhone, the Loire and the Seine, tending to the ocean. The total weight of the structure is 21 tons. In 1995, the fountain was recognized as a historical monument of France, and now the structure is under state protection. Every year, many tourists come to the fountain who want to enjoy the grandeur of the structure firsthand.