Santiago de Querétaro in Querétaro, Mexico — The Central Highlands (North America)

Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 13, 2018

1. Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar Marker

This marker replaced a previous marker in the same location in 2018.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Fuente de la Virgen del Pilar
Esta caja de agua, que es considerada la más antigua de la ciudad, comenzó a funcionar en 1735 y estuvo dedicada a la Virgen del Pilar. Al estar anexa al antiguo convento de La Cruz, fue la primera en recibir el agua limpia que transportaba el acueducto proveniente de La Cañada. Desde aquí se distribuía el agua hacia otras cajas por una red subterránea.

English:
Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar
This caja de agua (literally “water box”) is considered the oldest in the City. Put into service in 1735, it was dedicated to the Virgin del Pilar. Annexed to the old convent of La Cruz, it was the first fountain to receive clean water from La Cañada carried by the aqueduct. From here it was distributed to other fountains by an underground network of pipes.

Erected 2018 by Municipalidad de Querétaro.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Colonial Era • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1735.

Location. 20°

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35.557′ N, 100° 23.061′ W. Marker is in Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro. Marker is on Calle Manuel Acuña close to Avenida Reforma Oeste. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santiago de Querétaro QUE 76000, Mexico. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Founders of Santiago de Querétaro (within shouting distance of this marker); Friar Antonio Margil de Jésus (within shouting distance of this marker); Friar Junipero Serra (within shouting distance of this marker); Querétaro, Cultural Heritage of Humanity (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple and Convent of Santa Cruz (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding and History of the Church of the Holy Cross (within shouting distance of this marker); Historical Events at the Church of the Holy Cross (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Friar Antonio Margil de Jesus Ros (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santiago de Querétaro.

Regarding Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar. The fountain was originally dedicated on October 15, 1736.

The previous Water Box Fountain of the Virgin of the Pillar Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2016

2. The previous Water Box Fountain of the Virgin of the Pillar Marker

This previous marker was replaced in 2018. It read:

Fuente Caja de Agua de la Virgen del PilarPrimera fuente construida con el auspicio del Marqués de la Villa del Villar del Aguila, para el reparto de agua que venía desde la Cañada a través del Acueducto de Querétaro, en la barda poniente de la huerta del convento de la Cruz. Luce interesantes emblemas y, al ser restaurada, se cambió la figura de la Virgen del Pilar por una de San Francisco de Asís. Es uno de tantos símbolos de la legendaria historia queretana.

English translation:
Water Box Fountain of the Virgin of the PillarThis was the first fountain built, with the patronage of the Marquis Villa del Villar del Aguila, to distribute the water that ran from the Ravine across the Queretaro Aqueduct, on the eastern wall of the orchard of the De la Cruz Convent. It has interesting emblems and, when it was restored, the figure of the Virgin of the Pillar was exchanged for one of San Francisco de Asís. It is one of the many symbols of Queretaro’s fabulous history.

Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2016

3. Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar detail

Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar original leftmost marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2016

4. Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar original leftmost marker

Note that the Spanish of 1736 is very different from the Spanish of today, especially with its use of abbreviations and titles.

Reynando las Espan.^s N. Cathol^o Rey D. Phelipe V. q. D.^s g^s, y siendo Virrey en esta nueva Esp.^a el Exm.^o S.^r Marq^s de Casasuerse, se empezo esta magnifica Obra en la Alverca el dia 26 de Diz^e de 1726 y fe concluio hasta esta Caja, el dia 15 de Octr.^e de 1735. Siendo Virrey y Arz. de Mex. el Yllusr^o y Exm^o S.^r P.^r D.ⁿ JuⁿAn^to Vizarron y Eguiarreta. Y Correjo.^r en esta M. Noble y Leal Ciud.^a de Queretaro D. Greg.^o Ferron. Fue Juez Superintendt.^e de ella el So^r D.ⁿ Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana. Caballero del Orden de Alcantara, y

English translation:
During the reign of Our Spanish Catholic King Phillip and with the Viceroy of New Spain his Excellency the Marquis of Casasuerse, the magnificent work of the water tank was begun on December 26, 1726 and was finished with this fountain on October 15, 1735, under the Viceroy and Archbishop of Mexico the Illustrious and Excellent Juan Antonio Vizarron y Eguiarreta y Correjo, in this Very Noble and Very Loyal City of Queréretaro. Gregorio Ferron was Superintendent Judge of her and Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana, Knight of the Order of Alcántara, and…

Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 13, 2018

5. Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar and Marker

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2016

6. The previous Water Box Fountain of the Virgin of the Pillar Marker

The marker was directly in front of someone reading it and learning about history, to the left of the fountain.

Image of Saint Francis on the Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2016

7. Image of Saint Francis on the Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar

The image of Saint Francis replaced an image of the Virgin, as mentioned in the previous marker's text.

Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar rightmost original marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2016

8. Fountain of the Virgin del Pilar rightmost original marker.

Marques de la Villa de Villar de Aguila, natural de la Prov. ^a de Alaya. Que deseando el bien común, puso en ella (con todo dinero) desde su primer fundamen^to, no solo el travayo de futra^a zarn^to y asi sa^a perional, sino también las expensas de 88287 p Aque contribuio el Vezindr^o de dha Ciud^a asi Eclesi^o, y Regular, como Secular, con la santidad de 245º4 p. que Junta con la de arriva suma 112791. p^s. Por cuyo beneficio debe esta Ciudad mostrársele perpetuamente agradecida y encomendar a D^s que le de por ___ Obra tan heroyca, la bienaventuranza.

English translation:
Marquis of the Villa de Villar, originally from the Province of Ayala, wanting to perform an act for the common good, put forth in this work (not only his funds for the project) all of his efforts from the foundations to the last details, donating the sum of 88,287 pesos, to which the rest of the city, both religious and secular sources, gave 20,504 pesos, which together with the above described sum amounted to 112,791 pesos. For this benefit the city is perpetually thankful and commends to God this finished project. This heroic project is a job well done.

An additional marker on the water supplies of the convent image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 26, 2017

9. An additional marker on the water supplies of the convent

This additional marker is inside the grounds of the convent. It concerns additional works done during colonial times to introduce running water into the convent. It reads:

Esta Targea desde la Alcatarilla y toma de agua, hasta el coplemento de la Pila del Claustro, se hizo a expensas del S. Capt. D. Pedro Garza Azevedo, Nativo del Ro. de Galicía, Vezo. desta Ciuda. de Quero. y bienhecho especial deste Sto. Coloq., agradecido atanto benefo, pretede eternizar su memoria en esta gravada Lapida. Concluido se dicha Obra el dia 1 de Dizre. del Año de 1739.

English translation:
This work of the introduction of running water, including the section connecting to the convent’s water tank, was completed with the assistance of a donation from Captain Pedro Garza Azevedo, native of Galicia and neighbor of this city of Querétaro. In gratitude for this donation, this engraving is given in his memory. The work was completed on December 1, 1739.

A wide view of the additional marker inside the convent grounds. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, March 26, 2017

10. A wide view of the additional marker inside the convent grounds.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 14, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 5. submitted on August 14, 2018, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 6, 7, 8. submitted on November 13, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. 9, 10. submitted on June 8, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.