Fuente Agria Kiosk
The heart of the old spa. An internationally renowned spring guarded by a spectacular iron and red marble pavilion from the late 19th century.
The Original Pavilion or “Kiosk”
The main spring is protected by an architectural gem: an octagonal pavilion made of iron and red marble designed by the founder and owner of the spa, Mr. Elías Cervelló, in the late 19th century. The original structure reached 15 meters in height (including the lightning rod) and was 8 meters in diameter.
Its decoration stood out for an exquisite Arabic style both inside and out, which contrasted curiously with the two conical bodies of the dome, topped in a Chinese style. This enclosure, which was kept locked for reasons of safety and purity, occupied the exact center between the bathhouse and the spa’s old bottling office.
Extraction and Water Purity
The water of Fuente Agria originally flows through the crevices of a large quartzite rock rich in iron pyrite. Before the spa was built, the place was merely a small pool protected by a dry stone wall.
Inside the pavilion, the spring was carefully walled up. The water fell into a wood-roofed pit and, to guarantee its maximum purity and prevent it from losing its valuable free carbonic acid, it was extracted directly from the rock using an advanced suction and force pump. This allowed the water to be bottled without mixing with the already stagnant water. Furthermore, a network of pipes fed a large adjoining reservoir to supply the private baths of the complex.
International Fame and Medicinal Properties
All this meticulous late 19th-century infrastructure was fully justified by the chemical richness of its waters. The high concentration of carbonic acid, alkaline bicarbonates, and ferric oxide gave Fuente Agria a well-deserved international fame.
The “spa-goers” of the time came seeking relief and cure for various ailments, being especially recommended as a treatment for diabetes, digestive problems (dyspepsia), anemia, chlorosis, and various kidney and urinary tract conditions.
Follow the water route
The springs of Villaharta hold centuries of history, legends, and unique properties that the Cordoba land has gifted to travelers and locals. Come discover and taste them!
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