Fountain of the Watermill

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Braga > Braga > Além > Azenha

Location:

The Azenha Fountain is located in the area that gives it its name, the Azenha area, integrated into the locality of Além, in the municipality of Braga. This element is found within the local urban fabric, marking a discreet point in the neighborhood's landscape. Its position suggests a connection with the area's history, where the presence and use of water were likely of great relevance, as the very toponym "Azenha" (which refers to watermills) indicates.

Presence in Daily Life:

This fountain is a modest yet significant component of the community's daily life. Its structure, which tends to be simple and functional, integrates naturally into the environment of the street or a small square, inviting a brief pause or a quiet reflection. Although not a monumental construction, its existence evokes the tradition of public water supply points and their importance in the social life and daily routine of those who live in or pass through this area.

Legacy of Water:

The name "Azenha" gives the fountain a particular meaning, establishing a deep connection with the course of water and its utilization over time. It is plausible that, in the past, this area housed azenhas, or watermills, crucial for grinding cereals. The fountain, therefore, emerges as a symbol of the continuity of water's presence, a vital resource that shaped the identity and activities of the region. For visitors, it represents a small window into local history and its intrinsic relationship with the surrounding natural environment.

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