Restoration of the Fuente de Arriba
Fountain-watering hole that is located next to a branch of the Cañada Real Segoviana
Restoration of the Fuente de Arriba
Before the restoration was without water supply and both the structure and its surroundings showed a significant state of abandonment. The intervention has not only managed to return the functionality to this space and improve its integration, but also has allowed to know constructive details of the structure.
The source of Above is located at the entrance of Buitrago de Lozoya, next to the cattle track called "Cañada de Velayos", which constitutes a branch of the Cañada Real Segoviana. The place where the fountain is located offers a wide view over the valley of the Lozoya River and over the mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama.
It is a granite construction whose configuration can be ascribed to the type known as "fountain-trough". It presents a glass of almost square proportions with a front composed of three very pointed pediments. A masonry retaining wall supporting the land of a higher level is attached to the front.
The typology of this source is very common in modern times. Its simplicity and the lack of other documentary supports make it difficult to date it, which is inserted within a wide temporal range from the 16th to the 18th century.
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Before beginning the restoration process, the source had no water supply and the evacuation system was deficient. Although no pathologies of seriousness were observed, the pylon was partially buried, inadequate coatings had been applied and there was a state of environmental degradation and abandonment that affected both the construction and its surroundings, favored by the indiscriminate access of vehicles.
Before beginning the actual restoration, obsolete furniture was removed from the environment, clearing and cleaning of the area was carried out and an archaeological survey was carried out along the east side of the fountain, locating the original level of use.
The restoration of the source began with the cleaning and elimination of portland cement additives. During this process it was detected that the base piece of the front was not formed by three elements but by two and that the joint of the left side had been simulated to maintain the symmetry.
Subsequently, all the cracks were sealed to prevent the entry of water and subsequent breakage by ice, punctual reintegrations were carried out and the glass was waterproofed. The water supply was then returned to the source. For this, the plumbing and sanitation facilities were renewed, providing them with a new cast iron drainage grid. A bush hammered granite cobblestone pavement was placed in the immediate surroundings of the fountain to avoid problems caused by splashes.
In addition, to integrate this structure into the environment, the original levels of the terrain were recovered. Terraces delimited by sleepers were made, a masonry bench was built and the rest was covered with earth. We proceeded to the planting of ash trees and the placement of bins in addition to an information panel. To preserve the whole, a perimeter fence was placed.
