Toural Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Braga > Guimarães > Guimarães > Oliveira, São Paio e São Sebastião

Location

The Toural Fountain is located in the heart of Guimarães, occupying a central position in Largo do Toural, one of the city's best-known squares. It is situated at the junction of the parishes of Oliveira, São Paio, and São Sebastião, an area with a lively urban atmosphere. Its isolated position in the square allows for a clear observation of all its details, making it a visual landmark for anyone exploring this area of the city. Largo do Toural, where the fountain stands, is a very busy area, ideal for observing the daily life of Guimarães and absorbing the local atmosphere.

Mannerist Architecture and Artistic Details

Dating back to the 16th century, more precisely to 1585, the Toural Fountain is a remarkable example of Mannerist architecture. Created by Gonçalo Lopes, its granite structure features a pyramidal system that tapers upwards, distinguished by its ornamented central column and two superimposed basins. Upon closer inspection, visitors will discover rich ornamentation: spouts shaped like gargoyles, angelic heads, and grotesque elements. At the top, an armillary sphere and a metallic cross complement the composition, while shields with the coats of arms of Portugal and Guimarães adorn its upper section, referring to local history and identity.

A Symbol with Living History

This fountain is not just a water source; it is a repository of stories and a testament to the city's life throughout the centuries. Since its construction, it has been an essential water supply point and a social gathering place, where the nobility of Guimarães would meet to refresh themselves and socialize on summer afternoons. Its existence has been marked by a notable journey of demolitions and reinstallations, having been removed and reconstructed in other parts of the city before, in 2011, returning to its original location in Largo do Toural, a return that symbolized the recognition of its historical and cultural importance for Guimarães.

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