Top 10 Fountains Around the World

Top 10 Fountains Around the World Water spouts have never looked so good! Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Fountains Around the World. For this list, we’re taking a look at fountains of all shapes and sizes from across the globe. To make our list these fountains need to either be unique, grandiose, beautiful or a combination of all three! #10: The Giant Wattens, Austria It would appear that when the Swarovski family isn’t making high quality crystal jewelry they’re investing in elaborate fountains. Designed by multimedia artist André Heller, The Giant is one of the most unique fountains on earth and serves as the welcome piece to the Swarovski Crystal Worlds, a museum built in 1995 to celebrate the company’s 100th anniversary. Located in the small town of Wattens, Austria, Swarovski Crystal Worlds is home to many distinct works of art, none more intriguing than The Giant. This is one fountain you need to see to believe! #9: The Archibald Fountain Sydney, Australia Built at the behest of Australian newspaper magnate J. F. Archibald, who loved French culture and hoped that the burgeoning city of Sydney would follow in the artistic tradition of Paris, the Archibald Fountain was unveiled in 1932. As per Archibald’s instructions, it was designed by a French artist, François-Léon Sicard. Sadly, both men never got the opportunity to see it placed in Sydney. But they done good The fountain takes inspiration from both the Greek and Roman styles and today serves as one of the city’s most popular meeting spots and attractions. #8: Magic Fountain of Montjuïc Barcelona, Spain They don’t call it the Font màgica for nothing! This breathtaking delight can be found in Barcelona and is situated in front of the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Built in 1929 for the Barcelona International Exposition, aka the World Fair, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc was the highlight of the event. Sadly, it was damaged in the Spanish Civil War just a few years later and wasn’t repaired until 1955. Today the fountain is known for its dazzling water and light shows, which take place every weekend. These shows are accompanied by music from popular films and hit songs and can attract thousands of onlookers. #7: Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Seoul, South Korea Built in 1982, Banpo Bridge got a major upgrade in 2007 when it was outfitted with the Moonlight Rainbow Fountain. This behemoth expels 190 tons of water per minute and, according to The Guinness Book of Records, is the longest bridge fountain in the world. Thanks to its 380 nozzles, the bridge shoots water from both sides, and puts on an awesome water and light show every night - much to the delight of both tourists and locals. The light show means you’re better off visiting this fountain at night, but honestly, it’s pretty much just as entertaining during the day! #6: Stravinsky Fountain Paris, France You’ve never seen a fountain quite like this before. Built in 1983, the Stravinsky Fountain was designed by Jean Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle and features 16 different sculptures inspired by the many works of Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The sculptures dot the 6200-square-foot fountain in various locations, giving it a completely different appearance depending on which side you’re viewing it from. “I wanted sculptures like street performers, a little bit like a circus” remarked Tinguely, whose darker-hued works mesh with those more colorful ones designed by Saint Phalle, his wife. The Stravinsky Fountain was one of seven commissioned by the city of Paris in the late ‘70s. #5: Fountains of Bellagio Las Vegas, USA What sprays in Vegas stays in Vegas. The Fountains of Bellagio are one of Sin City’s most popular tourist attractions, putting on a water, light and music show every 30 minutes in the afternoon and every 15 at night. According to the Bellagio Casino and Hotel’s website, “The Fountains of Bellagio were destined to romance your senses.” It may sound like the usual hyperbole, but after experiencing this fountain up close and personal, you’ll be inclined to agree. In a city famous for its exces, the Fountains of Bellagio are welcome, not to mention free, respite from the bustling casino floors and nonstop action. #4: Crown Fountain Chicago, USA Located in Chicago’s Millennium Park, the Crown Fountain is one of the most unusual, not mention expensive, public art displays ever built. This unique fountain consists of two 50-foot high towers separated by a shallow 232-foot pool. Outfitted with LED lights on three sides and LED display screens on the other, the towers feature the ever-changing faces of various Chicago residents. The fountain, which cost $17 million to build, was unveiled in 2004 and has become a popular mingling spot for tourists snapping photos, as well as locals on their lunch breaks. #3: The Fountain of Wealth Singapore Once the largest fountain in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Singapore’s Fountain of Wealth remains a must-see for anyone planning a visit to the tiny Asian city-state. Built in 1995, the fountain is located outside of the popular Suntec City shopping mall and, similarly to fountains in the West, has become a popular place to toss a coin and make a wish. However, it is shut off three times a day so that people can retrieve their coins (which is also considered good luck). Roughly 40 feet high and covering an area of over 18,000 square feet, this is one fountain that’s hard to miss! #2: Trevi Fountain Rome, Italy No list of the world’s greatest fountains would be complete without the inclusion of this iconic Roman monument. Built in 1762 and designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi – who died before he could see the finished product – the Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful on earth. It owes its extravagance to its elegant and detailed Baroque style of architecture, and has unsurprisingly attracted the attention of many a Hollywood director over the years. Each year tourists flock to it so that they may marvel at its beauty and toss a coin in for good luck. In fact, the fountain takes in millions of dollars every year, funds that are redistributed to the city’s poor. Before we unveil our number one pick, here are some honorable mentions: Prometheus Fountain New York, USA Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain London, England Tap Fountain Menorca, Spain #1: The Dubai Fountain Dubai, United Arab Emirates "Go big or go home” should be the official tagline for this ever-expanding Middle Eastern city. Dubai is home to some of the world’s most expensive, extravagant and downright ludicrous architectural feats; and The Dubai Fountain is right up there with the biggest of them. Completed in 2009, the fountain resides at the heart of a 30-acre man-made lake at the base of the world-famous Burj Khalifa. It is the largest choreographed fountain on the planet, boasting jets that can propel water 500 feet into the air! While it cost a whopping $218 million to build, you can’t really put a price on something this awe-inspiring…right?