Cruzeiro Fountain (Quatro Ribeiras)

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Açores > Praia da Vitória > Quatro Ribeiras > Terreiro

Location

The Chafariz do Cruzeiro (Fountain of the Wayside Cross) is located in the parish of Quatro Ribeiras, in the municipality of Praia da Vitória, on Terceira Island, Azores.

History

This fountain is a 19th-century construction and is part of the Historical and Religious Heritage of Praia da Vitória.

Structure

The fountain consists of a walled enclosure that includes a basin for washing clothes. It has a rectangular wall with a prominent cornice at the top.

Decorative Elements

In the center of the fountain, there is a floral design with a spout of running water. At the top, we find an elliptical cartouche with the inscription "O. P. / 1892" (Public Works, 1892) and plant decorations in high relief.

Animal Trough

Next to the fountain, there is a rectangular trough intended for animals.

Wall Structure

Both the fountain and the framing walls are made of plastered stonework and whitewashed, with the exception of the quoins, the base, the floral design, the cartouche frame, and the finishes, which are made of worked stone masonry and painted gray.

Washing Sinks

To the left of the fountain, there is a walled enclosure with two sinks for washing clothes.

Wayside Cross

The site also houses a "cruzeiro" (wayside cross), a stone cross, which is placed on a platform with steps.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chafariz_do_Cruzeiro_(Quatro_Ribeiras)

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt