Gadanha Lake

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Évora > Estremoz > Estremoz > Santo André

Location

The Lake of Gadanha is located in the lower part of the city of Estremoz, in the heart of the vast and emblematic Rossio Marquês de Pombal. Its central position in the Santo André urbanisation makes it an easily accessible landmark for those exploring the town, offering a serene setting within the urban environment.

An Eighteenth-Century Work

This remarkable body of water was built in 1688, on the initiative of the Senate of Estremoz. Its primary purpose was to ensure the water supply to the town and to irrigate the surrounding fields and gardens, taking advantage of one of the region's most important springs, known as Fonte Nova. Its grandeur is highlighted by its approximately forty meters in length, entirely constructed of marble, and by the underground pipe system that feeds it, crossing the Rossio Marquês de Pombal.

The Gadanha Statue and Time

In the center of the lake stands the intriguing statue that gives it its name. Originally from the Convento dos Congregados, it was transferred to this location in the mid-19th century. The statue, which once represented the god Saturn, a symbol of plenty and abundance, acquired a new and profound meaning over time. It came to be recognised as the "Gadanha", with his scythe in his right hand and an hourglass in his left, figures that evoke ephemerality and the inexorable passage of life. This change in interpretation is evident in an inscription on the pedestal, which invites reflection on the brevity of existence.

A Symbol of Estremoz

The Lake of Gadanha is considered one of Estremoz's most striking symbols. It represents an important legacy of the Baroque period in the city, captivating with its aesthetics and the profound symbolism it embodies. The figure of the "Gadanha", which personifies the fleeting nature of time, ironically perpetuates itself in the collective memory of the city, becoming a point of contemplation and a testament to the history and philosophy that have shaped this place throughout the centuries.

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