If you don’t know what to do in Caldes de Montbui, and you want to discover this town, from COOLTUR Cultural Tourism we recommend you to visit the Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui!
Caldes de Montbui is a municipality located in the west of the Vallès Oriental region, a few kilometres from the city of Barcelona.
At present, this municipality is made up of the villages of Caldes de Montbui, Can Valls and Torre Negrell, Lledoners and Saulons and Finca Ribó.
One of the characteristics of Caldes de Montbui is that it is a municipality of spas! In this municipality, thermal waters spring up naturally. In fact, the Lleó Spring is one of the hottest thermal springs in Europe and the water comes out at 74°C!
These waters have been used since ancient times. In Roman times, for example, medicinal thermal baths were built in the centre of the municipality, of which you can still see one of the ancient pools!
But apart from these remains, in Caldes de Montbui you can discover many other heritage gems, such as the old town walls, the public washing places, the Romanesque bridge, …
Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui
The Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui is located in the Font del Lleó Square, in the center of Caldes de Montbui.
One of the oldest elements of the Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui is the gargoyle through which the water comes out. This gargoyle, which is shaped like a lion’s head, dates from 1581. However, throughout history this fountain has been reformed.
The Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui springs thermal water, which comes out at a temperature of 74º, one of the hottest waters in the Iberian Peninsula!
In 1822, the Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui was renovated. Moreover, in 1927, the architect Manuel Raspall was responsible for designing a new reform for this fountain.
To access the fountain, there is a double staircase that is limited by a small wall. At each entrance, in addition, there is a wrought iron lantern.
The gargoyle of the Lleó Fountain is flanked by two Doric columns. These columns support a pediment on which is carved the coat of arms of Caldes de Montbui. Above the pediment is the figure of a seated lion. In addition, on each side of this pediment there are two volutes with stone vases.
Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui (Photo: COOLTUR Cultural Tourism)
Why is it called Lleó Fountain?
Formerly, the Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui was known as the Escaladors Fountain. However, the gargoyle from which the water flows is sculpted. Some villagers interpreted this gargoyle as representing a fish. It must be said, therefore, that most villagers thought that the gargoyle represented the head of a lion.
Finally, in 1979 the town council of Caldes de Montbui renamed this fountain as the Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui.
The Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui and industry
The Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui is closely related to the industry of this municipality.
In the past, next to this fountain there were some large ponds where the workers of the basket industry soaked the wicker. This industry was moved, later, to the Portalera Washhouse.
But apart from being related to the wicker industry, the thermal water of this spring has been used for many other activities. It has been used to feather birds, to clean the offal of pigs and calves, to make carquiñoles, to clean the oil mills after making oil, to soak the staves before making wine butts, etc.
(Cover image: Lleó Fountain of Caldes de Montbui Photo: COOLTUR Cultural Tourism)
How to get to Caldes de Montbui
Caldes de Montbui is a municipality located in the west of the Vallès Oriental region. To reach this municipality you can use the C-59, BV-1423, C-1415b and C-1413a roads.
You can also reach this municipality by public transport. In this case, we recommend that you check the bus timetables before setting off on your journey!