Fountain Olympia
OVERVIEW
A costly fountain of bronze lions and sculptures depicting Alexander the Great's mother in four motherhood stages.
It Tells a Story of Motherhood in Four Stages
Unlike most monuments that feature a single statue, this fountain tells a chronological story. It features four large bronze sculptures of Olympias depicting different stages of her pregnancy and Alexander’s infancy:
- The Pregnancy: Olympias is shown pregnant, cradling her stomach.
- The Newborn: She is holding the infant Alexander in her arms.
- The Toddler: She is nursing and cradling her young son.
- The Young Boy: A slightly older Alexander sits on his mother’s lap.
Part of the Controversial Skopje 2014 Project
The fountain was built as part of Skopje 2014, a massive, government-funded urban renewal project aimed at giving the capital a more classical, monumental look and bolstering national identity. While it succeeded in drawing tourists, the project was highly controversial among locals due to its immense cost (estimated at over €600 million total) and the neoclassical style, which critics labeled as kitsch.
It cost Millions of Euros
The Fountain of Olympia was one of the most expensive individual pieces of the Skopje 2014 project. The monument and fountain complex reportedly cost around 4.5 million euros. The bronze figures were cast in the famous Guastini foundry in Italy, known for high-quality art casting.
Designed by the Same Sculptor as the Warrior on a Horse
The monument was designed by Valentina Stevanovska, a Macedonian sculptor. Stevanovska is the artistic force behind Skopje’s most famous monuments: she also designed the colossal Warrior on a Horse (Alexander the Great) in the main square and the Warrior (Philip II, Alexander's father) nearby. In essence, Stevanovska sculpted the entire ancient Macedonian royal family.
The Secret Identity (Diplomatic Naming)
During its construction, North Macedonia was in a fierce, decades-long naming dispute with Greece, which claimed sole heritage over ancient Macedonia. To avoid diplomatic backlash, the government officially named the monument "The Fountain of the Mothers of Macedonia," and the nearby statue of Alexander was named "Warrior on a Horse." However, everyone—including the tour guides and locals—knows exactly who they represent.
Guarded by Majestic Lions
The fountain is surrounded by a ring of large, beautifully detailed bronze lions. In Macedonian heraldry and history, the lion is a symbol of strength and statehood, dating back to ancient times and medieval coats of arms. The lions spray water into the central basin, creating a dramatic aquatic display.
The Real Olympias Was Much More Fierce
While the fountain portrays Olympias as a gentle, nurturing mother, the historical Olympias (originally a princess of Epirus) was one of the most powerful, ruthless, and feared women of the ancient world. She was a devout member of the snake-worshipping cult of Dionysus and reportedly slept with snakes in her bed. She was also fiercely protective of Alexander’s claim to the throne, allegedly orchestrating the assassination of her husband, Philip II, and his other wives to secure her son's empire.
It Aligns with the Family Axis
The placement of the fountain is highly symbolic. If you stand in the center of Skopje, you can see a direct line of sight (an axis) connecting the royal family:
- In the center of Macedonia Square stands Alexander the Great (Warrior on a Horse).
- Across the Stone Bridge stands his mother, Olympias (The Fountain of Olympia).
- Just behind her stands his father, Philip II (The Warrior monument).
The layout physically reunites the ancient royal family in the heart of modern Skopje.
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