Seven Fountains of São Vitor - 18th Century Water System Collection System, to the city of Braga.

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Braga > Braga > Braga > Bairro da Alegria

Location:

This location is in the civil parish of São Vitor, situated in the area known as Bairro da Alegria, in the city of Braga.

Located in an area that integrates Braga's urban fabric, but preserves a unique environment, the Sete Fontes offer a connection to the city's history within their own geographical space.

Historical Origin:

The Sete Fontes system dates back to the 18th century, a period when the city of Braga needed to increase its potable water supply to keep pace with population and urban growth.

Its construction, initiated in the 1740s, is part of the context of major public works promoted at the time, under the royal impetus of D. João V, evidencing the concern for improving living conditions in the city.

The Architecture of Water:

When visiting the Sete Fontes, it is possible to observe a remarkable architectural and hydraulic engineering complex from the 18th century.

The system is composed of underground collection galleries that collect water from the springs, conduits that transport it, decantation tanks and reservoirs, culminating in the spouts and fountains that gave it its name.

The Fountains:

The name "Sete Fontes" designates a set of spouts and water outlet structures which were crucial points for the distribution and access to the resource by the population of Braga.

The constant presence of running water in this location, originating from the captured springs, gives it its own identity and keeps its original function alive, albeit historical.

Legacy and Value:

The Sete Fontes represent a fundamental landmark in Braga's urban and sanitary evolution, being a testament to the technical capacity and foresight of its builders.

This 18th-century water collection and distribution system is today recognized for its historical and patrimonial value, and as an identifying element of the city, allowing for an understanding of daily life and infrastructures of past centuries.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sete_Fontes_de_S._Victor

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