Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Coimbra > Condeixa-a-Nova > Condeixa-a-Velha e Condeixa-a-Nova
The House of Fountains is located in the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Conímbriga, one of Portugal's most important archaeological sites. This location is in the parish of Condeixa-a-Velha and Condeixa-a-Nova, in the municipality of Condeixa-a-Nova, a few kilometers from the city of Coimbra. By visiting the House of Fountains, one has the opportunity to experience the grandeur of a Roman city, immersed in an environment that invites discovery and contemplation of its vast historical legacy.
Although the House of Fountains is one of Conímbriga's most emblematic structures, it is important to know that a significant part of its original perimeter still extends northwards, under the adjacent terrain, awaiting future excavations. Currently, the house is protected by a roof, which safeguards its most sensitive elements from the weather, allowing visitors a more immersive and in-depth experience of its beauty and complexity.
The House of Fountains is a notable example of Roman residential architecture, revealing the luxury and sophistication of aristocratic life in ancient Conímbriga. Originally built in the 1st century AD over earlier structures dedicated to manufacturing and trade, this residence underwent a profound renovation in the first half of the 2nd century AD, transforming it into a sumptuous dwelling. Its owners, people of high social status, invested in creating a space that reflected their wealth and refined taste.
The heart of the house was its impressive peristyle, a central courtyard of about 180 square meters, surrounded by columns and adorned with an inner garden. This idyllic space, bathed in natural light, served as a leisure area and for receiving guests. The house integrated multiple compartments, including a triclinium, a spacious banquet hall where Romans reclined to eat, and a nymphaeum, a sanctuary dedicated to water nymphs, with small pools and artificial grottoes, richly decorated with plants and sculptures.
What truly distinguishes the House of Fountains and gives it its name are its spectacular water features. In the peristyle garden, there is a small lake with six flowerbeds and an intricate hydraulic system that fed 521 water jets. This impressive functionality, a testament to Roman ingenuity, can still be observed today, creating an atmosphere of coolness and movement that was, undoubtedly, the focal point of the residence.
Beyond the hydraulic innovation, the house is an exceptional repository of Roman art. Its walls and floors are decorated with magnificent mosaics, many of them magnificently preserved, which are considered the best example of mosaic art in Conímbriga. These feature a wide range of motifs, from vibrant mythological scenes, such as the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur, to complex geometric patterns and elegant floral representations. Complementing the mosaics, there are vestiges of mural paintings, which added color and narrative to the interior spaces, completing the atmosphere of luxury and beauty that characterized this remarkable dwelling.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.0995962,-8.4929234
Coordinates DMS: 40°05'58.5"N 08°29'34.5"W
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