Saturday, May 12, 2007

Bethesda Fountain in Central Park

The Bethesda Fountain is probably the most iconic and recognizable structure in Central Park. The fountain, which was designed by Emma Stebbins in 1686 and unveiled to the public in 1873, has an 8-foot female winged angel on the top and four 4-foot cherubs representing Temperance, Purity, Health and Peace at the bottom. It is located just north of 74th Street in the middle of the park.

North of the the Bethesda Fountain is The Lake, a huge body of water where one can rent canoes and floating bicycles for an afternoon of recreational activities. The Lake is extremely popular among young couples in love who are looking to spend a romantic afternoon together. As a matter of fact, Central Park is one of the most romantic places to visit in New York City. I have taken some of my dates here for a nice walk after a romantic dinner.

So what are some of the most romantic things you have done for your significant other?

23 comments:

Olivier said...

cette fontaine est superbe, surement l'une des plus connues du monde entier. j'adore venir me promener dans cette partie du parc (en plus souvent, il y a un saxophoniste). La chose la plus romantique, une promenade sur les Champs-Elysées un soir de pleine lune, mais Paris est la ville la plus romantique. Passe sur mon blog, bientot NYC......................


this fountain is superb, surely one of most known of the whole world. I adore to come to walk me in this part of the park (in more often, there is a saxophonist). The most romantic thing, a walk on the Champs-Elysées one evening of full moon, but Paris is the most romantic city. Pass on my blog, soon NYC ......................

Kate said...

A few of us have been drawn to angels lately! Romantic? What happens in St. Paul, stays in St. Paul!!

alice said...

>A picnic in a boat in the middle of a field, maybe? ;-)

Bel said...

Before setting off on a business trip, I carefully cut out numerous red love hearts, scribbled sweet nothings on them and sprinkled them throughout the house, leaving them to be discovered by him during my absence.

And I can't wait to see the beautiful fountain for myself - I may be in NYC again in September/October. YAY!!! :o)

angela said...

It's amazing the difference between your NY and NY as portrayed in films and books. I always thought that Central Park was a no-go area after dark, very dangerous and really not the place to take a date (unless you didn't like her!)
Romance! Not sure I do romance...but Husband did once book me a weekend in the Hotel du Lac in Montreux because I liked the book.
Angela

angela said...

PS I left you a recipe for Chocolat Liegeois on my post.
Angela

www.DeltaMovies.com said...

Bethesda Fountain might just be my most favorite spot in the entire city. The last few times I was there, I saw bands using it as a backdrop for photography and a scene from a movie was being filmed... I understand that it's one of the oldest sights in the park.

Ahh...to be sitting on the stone railing near Bethesda Foutain overlooking the lake watching the ducks and swans swim by....hmmm.

Ok...back to reality. Gotta get these grades done!

Pic is simply wonderful. You've got an amazing eye for the unique shots.

Laterz,
Bri
www.DeltaMovies.com
La.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Beautiful photo! I'd never been to New York and with your amazing photos I know a whole lot about this great city! Thank you for sharing!

Unknown said...

pardon my ignorance, but is central park and central park zoo the same thing?

is what I watch on Disney's Madagascar cartoon based on the real central park zoo?

stilettoheights said...

beautiful image!!

as far as real life romance, my bf and I write each other love notes at night and in the morning, we have hundred and hundred of them in boxes and all over the house.

Shammickite said...

Lovely picture... but designed in 1686???? Emma Stubbings was ahead of her time I think! :-)

Lori said...

Hi Ming! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. It's nice to meet you! Your photos are so gorgeous. Particularly this one with the beautiful silhouette of Bethesda Fountain. I love the light in the photo. It must have been a hard shot to capture. I agree with you that Central Park is one of the most romantic places in New York!

Miguel Angel Servellón said...

It is a wonderful photography, congratulations

Annie said...

Fountain, lake, angels, romance - as they say, "what's not to like".

I read recently that a study has revealed that men get little from snuggling a woman but women's lives are extended and happiness is increased if she's snuggled. So the most romantic thing lately, in my house, is when I snuggle with my husband, I always say, "I know this isn't doing a thing for you, but it's making me happy and I'm likely to outlive you, too"!

Anonymous said...

nice to see it filled.
there's a ton of minton tiles right under the nearby stairs!

Oh for the love of food! said...

I remember seeing this fountain in a heart wrenching romantic korean soap serial called 'Sad Love Song' . Did you watch that one, Ming?

Unknown said...

Well the Bethesda fountain is certainly a romantic place in the city, but of one my favorite fountain in new york is the one in City Hall Park.

It is beautiful,and surrounded by lanterns still lit by gas !!!

So imagine, you're with your date at night, surrounding by trees and wonderful buildings (City Hall, The Municipal Building, The Surrogate Court etc..) and there's this beautiful little fountain in front of you...you're sitting on a bench and the flames of the gas lamps reflect in the water and in the eyes of you're girlfriend...well anyway

For those who don't know that fountain it can easilly be seen in the movie Hitch starring Will Smith and Eva Mendes.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

I am still trying to put the picture of missing UK little girl Madeleine's face into the minds of many, so, if your readers would pop over to Cheltenham to have a look i'd be grateful. You never know she could be in your road or mine by now. We can all look! Thanks. There is a POSSIBLE American suspect now, all the more reason for your readers to kindly look.

Emilieee said...

Sounds so romantic to have a walk there.. How I wished I could have a walk there with my loved one, or somewhere nice.. Well, IF and ONLY I've got one :p But too bad I'm not lol

Nice photo.. Love it.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Beautiful photo!

I am hopeless at romantic stuff. I have no fantastic story to tell, I'm sorry!

Anonymous said...

In line 2 of your Bethesda Fountain description you give the architect's date as 1686 -- clearly you want 1866 (or possibly 1868).

Katie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie said...

I love visiting and taking pictures of Bethesda Terrace and the fountain. I went the other day and saw it for the first time during winter and without the water in the fountain... here