Morgado Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Beja > Vidigueira > Selmes > Horta das Estacas

Location

In the heart of Alentejo, more precisely in the serene locality of Selmes, municipality of Vidigueira, the Chafariz Morgado emerges discreetly within the area known as Horta das Estacas, in the district of Beja. This setting offers an authentic perspective of the Alentejo rural environment, where the vastness of the fields and the rural calm invite a tranquil observation of local daily life and the landscape of cork oaks and olive groves that characterize the region.

A Legacy of Water in Alentejo

The Chafariz Morgado represents a fundamental element in the life of rural communities throughout history. In a territory like Alentejo, where water management has always been of vital importance, this fountain played a crucial role in supply, serving both local inhabitants and the animals that passed by. Its presence reminds us of times when these points were true centers of conviviality and subsistence, highlighting the ingenious simplicity of supply solutions for the populations.

Architecture and Functionality

The architecture of the Chafariz Morgado reflects the functionality and robustness characteristic of these public utility structures. Generally built in stone masonry, a material that gives it durability and resistance to the passage of time, the fountain presents the essential elements that ensured the continuous flow of water: the spout(s) from which the water emerged and the adjacent basin or trough, designed for collection and consumption by people and livestock. Its formal sobriety is a testament to the priority given to its primary function, integrating harmoniously into the Alentejo rural landscape.

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