Fountain of the Spouts (Ferreira do Alentejo)

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Beja > Ferreira do Alentejo > Ferreira do Alentejo > Bairro do Império

Location

Fonte das Bicas is located in the village of Ferreira do Alentejo, a typical Alentejo locality. It is situated on one of the central urban arteries, in the Bairro do Império, allowing visitors to gain an insight into local daily life. Its position within the urban fabric makes it accessible and integrated into the village environment, inviting a pause to observe its structure.

Origin and Historical Legacy

The history of Fonte das Bicas, also known as Fonte Velha (Old Fountain), dates back to the year 1874. Its construction was an initiative of the then Municipal Council of Ferreira do Alentejo, under the guidance of its president, Luís António Infante Passanha. This public infrastructure not only represented an advancement in terms of utility for the population but also served as a testament to the investment in community well-being at that time. It is a landmark that reflects the importance of water resource management in the life of that era.

Architectural Features

Fonte das Bicas features a robust construction, erected with walls made of stone and lime masonry, which were later plastered and whitewashed, a common style in the region. Its design reveals functional simplicity, yet with a scale that gives it a certain monumentality, characteristic of 19th-century civil works. Inside, there are two tanks that served as a public washhouse. A metal sheet roof was added in the 1970s to protect the space. On one of its faces, a plaque bearing the municipal coat of arms marks the date and the entity responsible for its construction.

Environment and Social Significance

More than just a simple fountain, this place was, for many years, a vibrant meeting point and social hub for the community of Ferreira do Alentejo. It was here that essential daily tasks, such as water supply or laundry washing, were carried out, transforming it into a space for sharing stories and experiences. Fonte das Bicas invites visitors to imagine the pace of life from other times, offering a perspective on the central role these infrastructures played in social cohesion and the daily routine of the people of Alentejo.

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