Fuente de las Tarascas facts for kids

The Fuente de las Tarascas (Las Tarascas Fountain), also known as the Fuente de la Fertilidad (Fertility Fountain), is a fountain, sculpture and landmark installed in Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico. The original work was created by Antonio Silva Díaz and Benigno Lara and was installed in 1931 in the intersection of Francisco I. Madero Avenue [es] and Acueducto Avenue, in the historic center of the city. The fountain had three colorful concrete statues that depicted three bare-chested, kneeling women holding a basket of fruits. The sculpture was replaced in 1965 by another work.

In 1984, a similar work, but sculpted in bronze by José Luis Padilla Retana, was installed where the original sculpture used to be placed. It features the same subject, but it is now believed to represent three Purépecha (externally known as "Tarascan") princesses named Atzimba, Eréndira and Tzetzangari. Like the original work, they are bare-chested and hold a basket of regional fruits.

Impact

After the 1984 installation, the fountain became a landmark and one of the most emblematic places in Morelia. The state government donated a replica by José de los Santos Sánchez Martínez to the government of Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was installed on 17 December 1998.

In 2016, a book named Las Tarascas was published. It is based on research done by Elsa María Zertuche Zapata regarding the history of the modern fountain, from its installation where it replaced a previous statue, the rumors of the theft of one of the sculptures, as well as the political impact of the sculptures.

Due to its location, the fountain receives constant vandalism and is a frequent site of protests.