Atalho Water Reservoir

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Açores > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Santa Cruz da Graciosa > Santo Amaro

Location

The Atalho Water Reservoir is located in the Santo Amaro area, in the locality of Santa Cruz da Graciosa, in the municipality of the same name. This site is part of the urban context of the village, being a point of interest that reflects the history and ingenuity of the local community.

A Legacy of Resilience

Graciosa Island, by nature, has always faced challenges related to water scarcity. This historical reality prompted the local community to develop ingenious solutions for the collection and management of water resources. The Atalho Water Reservoir emerges as a remarkable example of this inventive capacity, representing one of the most significant efforts to ensure water supply for the island's population and agricultural activities.

Purpose and History

Inaugurated in 1866, after a particularly severe drought that affected the island, the Atalho Reservoir was a vital response to the pressing need for water. Conceived with an impressive capacity of 1800 cubic meters, this tank was directly supplied by rainwater, which entered through strategically placed openings in its roof. Although currently deactivated from its original purpose, the reservoir remains a central element of Graciosa's Water Route, evidencing the ingenuity of ancestors in obtaining and storing potable water.

Architecture and Design

The structure of the Atalho Reservoir stands out for its robustness and the ambition of its design, conceived to contain considerable volumes of water that, at times, filled the space almost to the top. Its roof is composed of an imposing vault, supported by perfect round arches resting on solid columns. Through skylights in the roof, lime stones were introduced, a method used to purify the water before it was distributed through underground pipes to the various fountains in the locality, ensuring its purity for consumption. The grandeur and intelligence of its architectural conception are aspects that impress its visitors.

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