This is one of the most iconic, beautiful fountains in the municipality. Fuente Grande, literally ‘Big Fountain’, was built by two master stonemasons, Francisco and Vicente, in 1897. It has three spouts through which water flows all year round into a long narrow basin, about 10 metres long and 1.5 metres wide. The water then flows into an enormous trough that was once used for washing clothes by the women of the town. Farm animals also drank from this trough when they were resting. For decades, this fountain supplied water to the whole town, when more water flowed through its pipes than today. Over time, this fountain has become a symbol of our town, forming part of our coat of arms.
Its location is no coincidence, as it sits in the middle of a drove road: the Cañada Real Segoviana. These were places of rest where shepherds and livestock could take a break during the long transhumance journey. In this particular case, they could also quench their thirst, as not all resting places had a fountain like this one.
The Fountain of Life The Big Fountain pours water non stop, so that when it overflows from the basin, it creates a small stream that provides water all year round, with great generosity. The waters of this stream, together with those of the La Minilla natural spring, irrigate the vegetable gardens a little further downstream (point of interest 2 on Local Path 1). These gardens are worked by the local people, producing an enormous variety of food, most of which is for the gardeners and their own families.
Therefore, it can be said that this spring is a source of life, and that its spouts have created a tradition that has lasted for centuries: the cultivation of Corpa’s market gardens.
