Instead of water flowing through its structure, mercury flows: tBarcelona is home to the world’s only source of mercury.
At room temperature, mercury is a liquid metal. Y ghis feature allows you to create beautiful images that resemble water.
The fountain was created in 1937 by the sculptor Alexander Calder, as a tribute to the miners of Almaden and commissioned by the Second Spanish Republic.
The Almadén mines in Ciudad Real have been for more than two thousand years one of the most important sources of mercury exploitation in the world. In fact, it is estimated that one third of the mercury used by mankind over time came from these mines.
However, as it is a toxic substance, many miners died while trying to exploit this metal in Almadén.
The Spanish government, aware of this situation, commissioned Calder to capture this terrible event at the beginning of the 20th century in a work of art.
By 1937, the sculptor presented his work at the International Exhibition in Paris, which stood out for its beautiful simplicity and hypnotic beauty thanks to the flow of the liquid that transmits peace.
Although the fountain cannot be touched or seen directly, because inhalation or contact with mercury is toxic, it is currently on display at the Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona. This is why it is is protected behind glass.
The world’s only source of mercury: a work of art
This peaceful sculpture can be viewed freely by those attending the Foundation. Unlike the miners who gave their lives when exposed to this toxic liquid.
The work is called “Fuente de Mercurio”. And es an abstract sculpture measuring 114 x 293 x 196 cm.
The fountain has a movable part with a red disc at one end and at the other end, the name of the mine “ALMADEN”.
It is made of aluminum and painted iron and mercury from the Almadén mines flows through the structure.
The mines closed in 2002. Its galleries have now been turned into tourist sites with guided tours, to be visited and to talk about the reality hidden for years.
A model of this work by Alexander Calder is also on display at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. The model was built in 1943.
You can see the Fountain behind protective glass, of course, with safety and security measures that prevent visitors from having direct contact with the sculpture. But especially with the metal flowing through it.
More information and tickets to the
Joan Miró Foundation of Barcelona
located at Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038
The opening hours and more information on access days can be found on their website.
