Creu del Brollador de la Font

Creu del Brollador de la Font is a stone cross crowning an old fountain on Plaça de la Creu in Igualada, a historic town in the Anoia region of Catalonia. It's a small but distinctive landmark that anyone strolling through the town's historic center is likely to notice.

What will you see there?

The monument standing today dates from 1954. The cross itself was carved by sculptor Ernest Marco, while architect Bonaventura Bassegoda designed the fountain beneath it. The whole structure follows a historicist style echoing the Baroque period — the column takes its form from Baroque altarpiece design, and its shaft and capital are decorated with four coats of arms. The front-facing shield displays the coat of arms of Igualada itself, while the remaining shields reference figures tied to religious orders with historical ties to the town, including Saint Ignatius, Saint Joseph of Calasanz, Saint Clare and Saint Francis.

It's worth taking a moment to study the stonework up close — the proportions of the column, the carving on the capital, and the layout of the fountain basin at its foot. It's a compact structure, but a dense one in terms of symbolism, and it fits naturally into the character of the square around it.

What's the history behind it?

The cross you see today isn't the original. It replaces a much older boundary cross ("creu de terme") first documented as far back as 1409, which originally stood near the old Capdevila town gate. That earlier cross was relocated to the cemetery gardens in 1835 and was destroyed during the turbulent events of 1936. It wasn't until 1954 that a new cross was raised on Plaça de la Creu — the one visitors can see today.

The monument is listed in the Inventory of Architectural Heritage of Catalonia (IPAC no. 5688), confirming its protected status as part of the region's cultural heritage.

How do you get there?

Creu del Brollador de la Font sits right in the center of Igualada, on Plaça de la Creu, an easily walkable square just off the main streets of the old town. Igualada lies roughly 65 km west of Barcelona and is well connected by train (the FGC R6 line) and regional bus services. From the train station, it's a short walk of about ten to fifteen minutes through the historic center to reach the square.

When's the best time to visit?

The square is open year-round with no restrictions, since it's a public outdoor space. Quieter parts of the day tend to be the most pleasant for viewing the monument, when the square isn't crowded and the light brings out the detail in the stone carving. It's worth combining a visit with a walk through Igualada's nearby historic center, including the Church of Santa Maria, whose altarpiece inspired the design of the cross's column.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly is Creu del Brollador de la Font? It's a stone cross topping a fountain on Plaça de la Creu in Igualada, built in 1954 in a Baroque-inspired style and decorated with the city's coat of arms alongside symbols tied to local religious history.

Is this the original historic cross? No — it's a 1954 reconstruction. The original boundary cross on this site was documented as early as 1409, moved to the cemetery in 1835, and destroyed in 1936.

Is there an entrance fee? No, the monument stands in an open public square and can be viewed free of charge at any time.

How long does a visit take? It's a small monument — a few minutes is enough to see the cross and fountain, though it pairs well with a longer walk through Igualada's historic center.