Duck Fountain

Duck Fountain

VILLARRUBIA DE LOS OJOS

We are told that in medieval times there was a Moorish castle on this specific location, the ruins of which were used to build the house of the commandery of the Order of Calatrava. This place was later converted into the Palace of the Dukes of Híjar.

In the 19th century, bullfighting festivities were held here in honour of Nuestra Señora de la Sierra. In the area behind the church, there was an old cemetery.

Nowadays it is called “Glorieta del Pato” (Duck Fountain), in reference to a pylon with the sculpture of a duck that used to spout water from its beak in this place.

One of the most important events in the history of Spain took place right here: Don Pedro Girón, the fiancé of the future Queen Isabella la Católica, decided to stop at the encomienda house to spend the night before meeting his fiancée. As fate would have it, Don Pedro died at dawn, and the cause of his death is still unknown today.