The Geyser Fountain
Moscow Russia
2013

Tsereteli built a complex of twelve fountains in Manezhnaya Square, next to the Alexandrovskiy Garden. The main fountain is called The Geyser. Other fountains are the Four Seasons, symbolized by bronze horses; The Curtain (Ru: Zavesa), and Heroes of Fairy Tales, an array of canals with statues illustrating the fairy tales of Ivan Krylov.

One of Moscow’s favourite fountains is located along the edge of the Alexander Gardens.

The main fountain on Manège Square has a sculpture of four galloping horses as its centerpiece – they symbolize the Four Seasons. The jets of water around them project sharply upwards and fall as if from a natural geyser – and in fact the statue is named “geyser”. It’s considered to be the main fountain of the city of Moscow, and the reason is as follows.

Of course during the freezing winters the fountains must be shut off – so the ceremony of switching them on again marks the welcome arrival of Spring, and is conducted by the Mayor here at the Geyser fountain. There’s even a special ritual, in which the Mayor declaims the words “Let the fountains rise forth!” as he pours water from a special glass horn.

There are two more fountains here to admire. The first is “Zeus”, and his fountain-jet shoots across the footpath. On windy or cold days it’s not a bad idea to walk around the other way, to avoid getting soaked! Zeus also has a specially-designed waterfall to keep him company. The other fountain is a special favourite with children – “The Snail”. His fountain-jet fills a little rivulet, along which there are statues from children’s fairytales – the water doesn’t just spurt-out, but funnels out in a spiral – as you would expect from a snail.