Located to the north of Tablada and below the fairgrounds, in a port protected by the Alcor. It is a very rich water, according to Madoz, which is why it has been the source that, since time immemorial, has supplied water to the town.
We have evidence of the existence of pillars in the vicinity of the fountain in the mid-16th century. From the Middle Ages, this fountain was constituted as a large public fountain, which was structured around five large jets that poured into the main basin, surrounded on both sides by a continuous bench, which served as a waiting area for the large number of cantareras and water carriers who came to get water. This system led the water to large basins, which served as watering troughs for the livestock. The water then poured into a third structure used for washing. Finally, the surplus water flowed into the orchard of La Muela. As it was a spring of vital importance for the town due to the quality of its water, the Council or old town hall took great care of its condition.
This fountain was refurbished during the reign of Isabel II and was restored again in the 1980s, specifically between 1983-1985. It currently consists of a pillar into which four spouts or jets of water flow through a culvert until they are lost in the stream of the same name. It was restored again in 2021.
The fountain of La Muela was associated with a nearby pagan temple, later converted into a Muslim marabout and hermitage of San Sebastián.
The cult of Saint Sebastian is very old and widespread; he is invoked against the plague and against the enemies of religion, and he is also called “the Christian Apollo” as he is one of the most reproduced saints in art in general. Saint Sebastian is the patron saint of archers, crossbowmen and upholsterers. The Order of the Temple had him as their astronomical patron saint and the Christians as their advocate against the plague since a terrible epidemic devastated Rome in the year 680. The cult of Saint Sebastian was so widespread in Los Alcores that there were chapels dedicated to him in Alcalá, Mairena, Carmona and El Viso.
In times gone by, the 20th of January was a big feast day in El Viso, the day of Saint Sebastian, patron saint of our town until 1630, when the Mercedarians, after putting pressure on the Civil Council, managed to oust him and make Saint Peter Nolasco their founding saint, Saint Peter Nolasco, their patron saint. This is reflected in the tile that was placed above the lintel of the door of the Corpus Christi convent house. In spite of this, the village continued to venerate San Sebastián, patron saint since medieval times, venerated in the hermitage that no longer exists, located on the so-called vereda del Cañalizo, now Cañalizo street, on the left-hand pavement, if we enter from Muela street.
There are references to this hermitage from the middle of the 16th century, specifically from the year 1551, although it is quite possible that the building was remodelled around this time. It is quite possible that we have to go back to the 15th century, when the plague was ravaging Europe, which is why hermitages were built in honour of the Saint who was the protector against the plague.
A very popular saint: “San Sebastián, boyish and gallant, take the girls out for a walk” or “Of all the cold saints, San Sebastián is the first”.
The Fuente de la Muela is associated with a large Roman hydraulic mine and possibly fed some mills. Some of its sections have been explored by the Andalusian Association of Underground Explorations, discovering some curious engravings of geometric figures and large keys.