The fountain and the sunflower: 150 years of history

Abstract

On October 25th, 1868, the new water pipe system of the city of San José was inaugurated. The system ended at the central Plaza of the city, where the water emerged from the fountain of Cupid and the Swan. The fountain, the pipe system and the fence for the Plaza were imported from England. In this paper we make use of images in paper money, coins, and medals to illustrate the events related to the fountain, especially the impact of the export of coffee to Europe and its influence on the life habits of the mid XIX century citizens. The fountain was the reference point for people and for the students of the nearby University of Santo Tomas, founded in 1844. In 1944 the fountain was moved to the first location of the University of Costa Rica founded in 1940. Years later the fountain was repaired and moved to the main campus of the University, where today it is an institutional symbol. This paper is part of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the arrival to Costa Rica of Cupid and the Swan.