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Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Aveiro > Santa Maria da Feira > Santa Maria da Feira > Zona do Castelo

Location

The Fonte Brasonada (Coated Fountain) is located within the historic Castle Zone in Santa Maria da Feira, in the district of Aveiro. Its presence complements the urban fabric surrounding the imposing fortification, offering a perspective on the organization and needs of daily life in past eras, at the heart of this locality.

Its Essence and Characterization

This type of fountain, as its name suggests, is marked by the distinctive presence of a coat of arms carved into its structure. Generally built of stone, with a robust configuration, it integrates one or more spouts that once ensured the water supply, playing a fundamental role in the population's provision. The coat of arms, as a central element, is a testament to its origin, indicating who ordered its construction, be it a noble family, the municipality, or a figure of local historical importance, conferring upon it a symbolic value that transcends its original utilitarian function.

Historical and Cultural Relevance

Beyond its practical function, the Fonte Brasonada assumed a central role in community life. It was certainly a meeting and gathering point for the inhabitants, a place where part of the social and economic life of the town unfolded. Its mere existence evokes a time when public fountains were pillars of daily routine and social interaction in towns. It thus represents a tangible link to the past, a piece of Santa Maria da Feira's history that remains preserved in the urban landscape, witnessing the community's journey and evolution over the centuries.

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