As you’re coming up, take a look straight ahead-Fontán Square is right in front of you. The first thing you’ll spot is the rectangle of colorful buildings wrapping around the space. The houses are painted in warm reds, mellow greens, and soft yellows, all with neat dark trims. Most of them have charming little balconies, some dotted with flowers. The square is open and inviting, with busy outdoor cafés and rows of solid stone columns circling the inside-if you hear lively voices and see people milling about, you’re definitely in the right place.
Now, close your eyes for a second and imagine this: hundreds of years ago, you’d be ankle-deep in water right here. Fontán Square started life as a natural lagoon, where springs bubbled up from the earth, turning this whole area into a watery playground for Oviedo’s nobles. Farmers used to wade over from outside the city, baskets in hand, to sell their milk, cheese, and even chickens right where you’re standing. And soon enough, the clang of the blacksmith’s hammer and shout of the crafters joined the mix. If you’re wondering about the name “Fontán,” it comes from those very springs-it simply means “big fountain.”
But there’s a twist. All that water was pretty, but eventually it wasn’t exactly... clean. In 1523, the lagoon was drained, and over the centuries, new buildings and markets took its place. For a long time, this spot was even Oviedo’s version of a pop-up theater-imagine actors bellowing lines while locals perched on benches, with the smell of cheese, hay, and maybe even a stray chicken or two in the air. It wasn’t until 1885 that the great covered market you see next door was built, making Fontán the perfect spot for the hustle and bustle Oviedo is famous for.
Oh, and a little local joke: you might notice a fountain here, but it’s so low to the ground, you’d have to bend down just to get a sip. Locals loved to tease anyone acting a bit too proud, saying, “Send them to drink from the Fontán fountain-nothing like a bit of bowing to keep egos in check!” Even a famous poet poked fun at it back in the 1930s.
So look around, take a deep breath-can you almost hear the laughter from the old market, or imagine the noble ladies trying not to get their shoes muddy? Fontán Square is Oviedo’s living history-a place that’s always been for the people, whether they brought cheese, drama, or just a good appetite. Ready to keep exploring? There’s plenty more Oviedo magic where this came from!
