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Bethesda Fountain Review

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Bethesda Fountain

Address: Midpark at 72nd St. Transverse, Central Park, New York, NY | Map It

Category: Fountains
Location: Central Park

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.2/5

Fodor's Review:

Few New York views are more romantic than the one from the top of the magnificent stone staircase that leads down to the ornate, three-tier Bethesda Fountain. The fountain was built to celebrate the opening of the Croton Aqueduct, which brought clean drinking water to New York City. The name Bethesda was taken from biblical pool in Jerusalem that was supposedly given healing powers by an angel, which explains the statue The Angel of the Waters rising from the center. (The statue was designed by Emma Stebbins, the first woman to be commissioned for a major work of art in New York City, in 1868.) The four figures around the fountain's base symbolize Temperance, Purity, Health, and Peace. Beyond the terrace stretches the lake, filled with swans and amateur rowboat captains.

Subway: Subway: B, C to 72nd St.

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by spaniard from Virginia on 5/15/07
If you go to Central park you should go by it, it is well worth it, and you may get a good show from street entertainers.