Seville Light Fountain

Dedicated on October 12, 1967, this Kansas City fountain was a gift to the City of Fountains by Miller Nichols, son of Country Club Plaza developer J. C. Nichols. The fountain was created as a companion structure to the nearby Giralda Tower which was recently completed and also dedicated to honor the new relationship between Kansas City and Seville, Spain as Sister Cities. The fountain is an exact replica of la Fuente Farola, a fountain-lamppost in Seville's famous public district la Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes. Seville's La Giralda bell tower, the structure upon which Kansas City's Giralda Tower was modeled, is also located in this square. The fountain was carved from a variety of red and white marble, stands thirty feet tall, and features an iron lamppost on top. Water flows from the central base out through four Roman grotesque masks into scalloped basins before reaching its surrounding 20-foot reflection pool. It is one of many examples throughout the Plaza that encapsulates its Spanish inspiration.

In 1967, Miller Nichols, son of Plaza developer J. C. Nichols commissioned New York sculptor Bernhard Zuckerman to build an exact replica of the fountain at the entrance of La Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes (the Plaza of the Virgin of the Kings) in Seville, Spain. The Seville Light Fountain is one of many examples throughout the Country Club Plaza that reflects the direct design inspiration from Seville. The addition of this fountain and the adjacent tower in the late 1960s was intended to expand the Country Club Plaza within the original architectural design.

Prior to its installation, the Municipal Arts Commission had concerns that the fountain might potentially diminish the Plazas effect. In a tight vote of 4-3, and with the stipulation that Nichols would pay the $32,000 for its installation on city property, the Commission approved the location. The fountain was gifted to the city from Nichols in addition to its companion structure the Giralda Tower, which greets visitors on the Plazas Northeast entrance. Both pieces were dedicated on October 12, 1967 as part of a ceremony honoring a new relationship between Kansas City and Seville as Sister Cities. 

La Fuente Farola, the original fountain-lamppost in Seville, was commissioned in 1928 as part of a public space reform program which expanded the Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes district. The entrance to Mateos Gago Street, which leads to the iconic La Giralda bell tower, was remodeled, widened and included additions of a fountain and street lamps, creating the public square known today. The Seville Light Fountain on the Country Club Plaza is a replica of la Fuente Farola, sculpted from a variety of white and red marbles and features an iron lamppost on top. The central shaft stands 30 feet tall with a 6 foot square base, surrounded by a reflection pool that is 20 feet wide and two feet deep. Water flows into scalloped basins from the four Roman grotesque masks on each side, carved from white Ravaccione marble from Carrara, Italy. 

The fountain was in disrepair for years after the vault beneath collapsed due to a flood in 2006, causing damage to the piping and electrical panels. As part of the 2014 renovation made possible by the City of Fountains Foundation’s campaign Wish Upon a Fountain, new plumbing and electrical systems were installed. In addition, repairs were made to the structure as well as the pavement and sidewalks surrounding the fountain. Seville Light Fountain still flows and remains as one of the Country Club Plazas iconic landmarks.

Seville Light Fountain, City of Fountains. Accessed December 6th 2021. https://cityoffountains.org/seville-light-fountain/.

midtownkcposter. Seville Fountain has a long and sad history, Midtown KC Post. May 13th 2013. Accessed December 6th 2021. http://midtownkcpost.com/seville-fountain-has-a-long-and-sad-history/.

Peter. La Plaza de la Virgen de Los Reyes, Seville Concierge. September 15th 2015. Accessed December 6th 2021. https://sevilleconcierge.com/2015/09/18/la-plaza-de-la-virgen-de-los-reyes/comment-page-1/.