Charles III had the vision of improving living conditions in the city and embellishing the Paseo del Prado. To this end, he entrusted the architect Ventura Rodríguez with the construction of fountains. Following Rodriguez´s designs, the Fountain of Cybele was constructed in 1782 by the sculptors Francisco Gutiérrez and French Robert Michel, depicting the majestic goddess of Agriculture. The fountains were also a symbol of the power of the Crown: in the center of Paseo del Prado stands Apollo, the Sun-god and protector of the Arts, whose figure alludes to King Charles III. The Neptune fountain was a symbol of dominion over the seas while the fountain of Cybele was an allusion to the territorial power of Spain.