Fuente de Berenguela (Berenguela Fountain), La Paz

Berenguela Fountain (Fuente de Berenguela) in La Paz carries a rich and fascinating history. Originating in the late 19th century, it was initially located in the Plaza de Armas, which underwent several name changes, from Market Square to Plaza 16 de Julio, and finally to Plaza Murillo in 1909. This renaming was in honor of Pedro Domingo Murillo, a Bolivian martyr hero, and coincided with the "Centenary of the First Libertarian Revolution of America."

The foundation of Berenguela Fountain ties back to a man named Berenguela, who embarked on a pilgrimage across the city, concluding at Sopocachi's mound, the fountain's present-day location. His journey, starting from Neptune's Grotto of Lourdes and ending at Paseo de la Alameda, is an integral part of the fountain's lore.

La Paz saw its first fountain connected to an aqueduct in 1587. However, it wasn't until 1852 that a larger version of the Berenguela Fountain was commissioned. Esteemed architect José María Nuñez del Prado designed this new incarnation, with artist Feliciano Cantuta carving it into reality. Officially unveiled on July 17, 1855, this fountain graced the city until 1909. It featured a statue of Neptune and was adorned with exquisitely carved mermaids holding fish, from whose mouths water streamed.

The fountain's existence was transformed in 1909. In celebration of a century since the revolution, it was replaced by a monument to Murillo. Notably, only the Neptune figure was preserved and relocated to the Lourdes grotto. This piece should not be confused with another Neptune fountain, carved by Giuseppe Magnani in 1929, which initially stood in the Prado before being moved to Monticule park's square.