Category: Civil Architecture > Tank
District: Braga > Braga > Ventoso > Cales
The Public Tank of Cales is located in the urbanization of Cales, in Ventoso, municipality of Braga. Erected next to dry stone walls and surrounded by agricultural fields, it is just a few minutes from the village center, in a tranquil setting that transports visitors to the local rural atmosphere.
A roof supported by concrete pillars protects the tank, while the country vegetation and nearby trees reinforce the serene character of the space. Access is easily made on foot, along a dirt path that follows the course of old water channels.
This type of public tank dates back to the communal farming and laundry practices of the 19th and 20th centuries, when the waters were shared by the inhabitants for washing clothes and utensils. In Cales, the tank represented an essential meeting point for the social life of the laundresses.
Although it no longer fulfills its original function today, it remains a testament to community organization and rural daily life, reminding us of the importance of these infrastructures in local history.
With simple lines and a rectangular shape, the concrete tank creates a water mirror that reflects the sky and the green surroundings, giving it a calm and contemplative visual effect. The pillars supporting the roof add an architectural rhythm to the ensemble.
The contrast between the robustness of the concrete and the softness of the water, combined with the rural setting, offers visitors a space for pause where the past is felt through the memory of farming routines.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.52835728199618,-8.431857598623283
Coordinates DMS: 41°31'42.1"N 08°25'54.7"W
Weather Ventoso
On-duty Pharmacy Ventoso
