Category: Nature > Park
District: Beja > Odemira > Odemira > Bairro do Símplicio
The CMO 1950 is located in the Bairro do Símplicio, in Odemira, in a part of the village with a quiet urban atmosphere. The structure is set against a masonry wall and surrounded by traditional cobblestone paving, giving it the typical framing of a small-scale public space. In the vicinity, there are no prominent modern embellishments, which preserves the element's reading as an integral part of the residential and everyday fabric.
The surrounding area features some discreet vegetation along the walls and an open space in front of the fountain, allowing for contemplation and photographic recording without excessive visual noise. The proximity of a road like the N120, visible on the screen in the image, suggests that the location marks a transition between an area of passage and a resting spot within the village.
The sign CMO 1950 at the top of the structure indicates the probable construction date and the acronym that may refer to the Odemira Municipal Council, pointing to a public intervention from the mid-20th century. It is a public fountain, a traditional amenity in many Portuguese localities, designed to provide access to water and serve as a meeting point or stopping place for those moving through the area.
This type of amenity, in times when domestic water supply was not as widespread, was essential support for daily life. The presence of the fountain, even if deactivated or little used today, maintains a link with the communal and functional past of the village.
The construction combines the simplicity of Alentejo popular style with a white painted frame and blue details, colors that reinforce regional identity and visual clarity. The central arch softens the rigidity of the wall and frames a panel covered with small tiles, some of which appear to show motifs or figures – although worn or difficult to distinguish from a distance. The lower basin is made of solid, robust stone, supported by simple pillars, reinforcing the idea of durability and communal use.
The contrast between the white wall and the blue frame creates a clear visual focus, making the fountain a scenic element even within a modest urban context. The presence of a small bench or table at the rear suggests that the space may have been used for moments of rest or light socialising.
More than just a water point, the CMO 1950 serves as a testament to Odemira's everyday history. The engraved date marks a fixed temporal point, allowing visitors to imagine the continuity of the generations who passed through. The fountain is a discreet symbol of public intervention in service infrastructure and how the community organised itself around shared resources.
For the observer, the structure offers a silent portrait of local identity: a mixture of functionality and modest aesthetic care. The state of conservation and the marks of time also tell a story of use, passage, and preservation, adding layers of authenticity to the place.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.596050432322805,-8.6475248847237
Coordinates DMS: 37°35'45.8"N 08°38'51.1"W
Weather Odemira
On-duty Pharmacy Odemira
