The Bethesda fountain is the jewel in the crown of Bethesda Terrace. It is one of the largest fountains in
New York – 26 feet high and 96 feet wide. Impressive!
The fountain is “crowned” by the “Angel of the Waters” – an eight-foot tall neoclassical bronze
sculpture, standing above four small cherubim. The angel holds a lily in one hand and blesses the
waters in her feet with the other, thus blessing the waters in the Croton Aqueduct that, back in 1842,
was used to supply fresh water to New York City. Actually, the angel gave the name to the whole
terrace.It was first considered to be named just “The Water Terrace” in the Greensward Plan, but was
named “Bethesda Terrace” after the placement of the monument.