A witness to both the triumphs of Real Madrid and events such as the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV, the Cibeles Fountain is one of the capital’s most iconic monuments, around which, as we’ve mentioned, major sporting, cultural, and other events have been held. And now it will be the focus of one of the most ambitious restoration projects in its history.
As confirmed by Madrid’s Deputy Mayor, Inmaculada Sanz, restoration work on the Cibeles Fountain will begin in about three weeks and last for approximately five months, meaning it could be free of scaffolding in time for Christmas 2026.
The Madrid City Council has justified the decision to postpone the monument’s restoration until after the Pope’s departure because “it wouldn’t have made much sense” to cordon off Cibeles during his stay in the capital, given its role as the epicenter of some of the most prominent public events on the pontiff’s agenda.
The budget for the restoration is nearly 400,000 €, most of which will be covered by L’Oréal as part of the City of Madrid’s Heritage Program: an initiative that allows private companies and organizations to fund various projects in the city.
What will the restoration work on the Cibeles Fountain entail?
The restoration work on the Cibeles Fountain, according to Madrid City Hall, is primarily for aesthetic reasons, and therefore one of the main tasks will be a thorough cleaning of the entire structure.
Among the tasks to be carried out are the removal of dust accumulated due to pollution and the passage of time, the removal of plants and microorganisms that have taken root among the stones, and the inspection of metal components that may show signs of corrosion.
