The Fountain of Europe (Fuente de Europa) is a symbol of Spain’s membership in the EU and a remarkable monument worth visiting.
The central column symbolises “the unity of western cultured nations to an open and peaceful future, leaving centuries of misunderstanding to one side, for the good of its citizens” and consists of 16 stones, one per each EU member at the time of construction (2002). Each EU member country sent one stone with its name carved on it. The Spanish stone is from Nerja itself. And each Andalusian province provided one stone for the monument base.
Interestingly, not only the stones have travelled but the fountain itself as well. It was first placed in the Parque Verano Azul park on the west side of Nerja. Then moved to Plaza de los Cangrejos at Torrecilla beach where it stands today (visited in April 2021).
