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Elephant Fountain

Elephant Fountain is a 10th-century water fountain, or aquamanile, from the height of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Made of gray limestone, it once decorated the top of a square-section pillar, with traces still visible at the animal’s legs. Its original location was probably near Santa María de Trassierra, suggesting it may have belonged to the Valdepuentes aqueduct or Aqua Vetus system that supplied Madinat al-Zahra. The fountain is now in the courtyard of the Episcopal Palace of Córdoba. Documented in 1884 as Fuente del Caño-Escaravita, it was moved there in 1988 for the opening of the Diocesan Museum the following year.

Stone elephant fountain standing on a granite base with water flowing from its trunk into a shallow basin.
The Elephant Fountain stands in a shallow pool, with water pouring from its trunk.
April 2026 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Weathered stone Elephant Fountain sculpture with rounded ears on a rectangular base in a courtyard.
The Elephant Fountain stands in a gravel courtyard with columns and a bench in the background.
February 2013 © José Luiz · CC BY-SA 3.0
A weathered stone elephant fountain stands in a courtyard with an orange tree and a tiered fountain behind it.
The Elephant Fountain in a courtyard framed by an orange tree.
February 2013 © José Luiz · CC BY-SA 3.0
Weathered white stone elephant fountain beside a shallow grassy pool, partially hidden by tall green reeds.
The Elephant Fountain appears beside a shallow pool, with tall reeds partially obscuring the weathered stone sculpture.
December 2018 © · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

TitleFuente del Elefante
TypeElephant fountain
Original language titleLa fontaine de l'Éléphant

Historical context

Date10th century; Carbon-14 evidence suggests use between 982 and 1193
Historical periodCaliphate of Córdoba
Historical contextLinked to the construction of Madinat al-Zahra during the apogee of the Caliphate of Córdoba

Creator

Commissioned byMaslama ben Abdallah, master builder of Madinat al-Zahra
CreatorOne of the sculptors who worked for Maslama at Madinat al-Zahra

Discovery and provenance

Recorded inThe 1884 ordinances
Relocated toCourtyard of the Episcopal Palace of Córdoba
Relocation year1988
Reason for relocationMoved for the 1989 inauguration of the Diocesan Museum because the land belonged to the Bishopric of Córdoba
Documented name in 1884 ordinancesFuente del Caño-Escaravita
Comparable worksThe Fountain of the Court of the Lions or the Cervatillo of Madinat al-Zahra
Alternative historical interpretationIt may instead have belonged to a palatial complex of Abd al-Rahman III or another Andalusi noble of the Caliphal period
Probable original functionA fountain, probably part of the Valdepuentes aqueduct (Aqua Vetus) carrying water to Madinat al-Zahra
Original locationThe outskirts of Santa María de Trassierra, near the Baños de Popea, at the spring site near Medina Azahara

Physical characteristics

Original placementOn the top of a square-section pillar
Physical tracesMarks of the animal's feet remain visible at the level of the legs, indicating the pillar it stood on

Materials

MaterialGray limestone

Iconography and meaning

Location contextPlaced where it is currently found after Maslama learned of the hermit's death near the spring while searching the mountain for materials for the palatine city
Related person mentioned in the legendA hermit from the Sierra de Córdoba
PurposeInstalled in memory of the hermit and the legend Maslama heard as a child
Legendary originAccording to Manuel Pimentel's Leyendas de Medina Azahara, an old elephant struck the ground at the present spring site and caused the water to emerge
Legend depictedDuring a drought, the oldest elephant struck the ground with its foot and water sprang from the place
SubjectAn elephant

Location and ownership

Current locationCourtyard of the Episcopal Palace of Córdoba
Associated siteMadinat al-Zahra
Function in the landscapeMarks and commemorates the spring site associated with the legend

History and restoration

ReplicasTwo replicas exist, one in the original location and one in Santa María de Trassierra
Replica makerMartín Lagares
Replica installation date1 December 2013