Sceptic Fountain refurbished (Fuente de los incrédulos)

Sceptic Fountain refurbished (Fuente de los incrédulos)

In the 18th century, after three centuries studiying possibilites, alternatives and on works, a great Canal arrived to Zaragoza.
The "sceptic fountain" was opened in the nearest point to city centre
Today, latter 2013, it has been refurbished and you can visit it again

A part of our history

The Ebro river crosses the centre of Aragon but it doesn't irrigate anything. It is like the Nile in Egypt. A lot of water but just only in their nearby you will see irrigation.
In the 16th century a Canal was projected. It was the "Canal Imperial de Aragon", and the word "Imperial" comes because first king to get the project was the Emperor Charles the 5th of Germany and king 1st of Spain. Hence "Imperial".

In the 18th century the project was taken again and thanks to Ramon Pignatelli it was made. A lot of people were very sceptic about them. It was a huge canal that made possible to have water in the countries near the Ebro but impossible to take water as well as possible for little vessels. In the 18th century it was easier to transport freight in the canal than in a cart or horse-wagon.

When the water arrived to Zaragoza (in fact, the little village of Casablanca, today just one more neighbourhood in the city), Ramon Pignatelli opened a fountain. It was called the "sceptic fountain"

And... to make it quite clear he wrote ("Incredulorum convictioni et viatorum commodo." Anno MDCCLXXXVI) what it means (in Latin) "to convince sceptics and for a rest of travellers" Year 1786.

Still you can see that sentence.

The fountain today. How to arrive there?

This autumn, after some works, the fountain has been refurbished.

Although it is not in city centre, it is quite easy to arrive there.
Tramway L1 stop "Casablanca" is about 400 m ahead (and no possibility to get lost. It is in the same avenue)

Visit is absolutely free. It will take you only 15 minutes to visit it and the surroundings (and just pay a return ticket in tramway).

You can also try to start there the Green Ring of Zaragoza... or either you start it, you will walk around this fountain.

and some Canal facilities for former vessels just behind this fountain (Casablanca Canal locks)

San Antonio church tower.

San Antonio church tower.

In the 1940s the Italian government built a church and a cemetery for Italian soldiers who dead in Spain.
However, because no funds, the tower was just half of heigh.
Nevertheless, it worths to have a visit.

Where is San Antonio de Padua church?

It is in Paseo de Cuellar, after Pignatelli park and near the Imperial canal.

A touristic bus stop is very close to it.
Bus lines 31, 33, 34, 39 and 42 have a stop very near that church. Some of them connects with city centre or the tramway

When can the tower be visited?.

You ought ask in the own church because it is part of the parish. They have different timetables depending the season. Anyway, even if closed, a walk around the church is quite interesting.

What can I find around the San Antonio church?

Just in front of the church there is another interesting church... but inside military territory so you can only see it from the street (I've been once for an event, I had to give my name for accepted guests and security was in every corner).

They are San Fernando barracks, maybe one of those places where you have more generals rather than soldiers (they are mainly offices and bureaus).

Here's a view.

Quite a little going to the north (walking down to the city centre) you will find the Pignatelli park. It is a very small park and it has the first statue located in Zaragoza. It is Ramon de Pignatelli who built the Imperial canal.

You can have a walk along the park and visit this statue:

And finally you can go south (away from city centre) and will find the Imperial Canal. It is nice to have a look and walking around it... but we will talk about it in the entrance "Zaragoza Green Belt".


and obviously, even if it is not a cathedral, try to enter inside San Antonio church: