Fountain of Spouts

Category: Civil Architecture > Spring / Fountain

District: Évora > Borba > Borba

Location

The Fonte das Bicas (Fountain of the Spouts) is located in the heart of Borba, in the spacious Praça da República, a central area of the town. This urban spot offers an open space and is complemented by an adjacent municipal garden. Behind the fountain, there is an artificial lake that adds to the beauty of the ensemble, providing a peaceful environment for visitors.

Historical Features

Considered one of Borba's symbols, the Fonte das Bicas was built between 1781 and 1785. Its construction, initiated by the Municipal Council, aimed to commemorate the visit of Queens D. Maria I and D. Pedro III to the town. The project was designed by the military engineer José Álvares de Barros, and due to its imposing nature, the fountain was classified as a National Monument in 1910, recognizing its historical and architectural importance.

Design and Materials

This monumental fountain stands out for its use of local white marble, which gives it unparalleled beauty and grandeur in the Alentejo region. The structure is composed of three basins: one central, larger basin, and two side ones. Above the side basins, busts representing D. Maria I and D. Pedro III can be observed. The engineer responsible for the project drew inspiration from the Lisbon fountains designed by Carlos Mardel, integrating transitional elements between Rococo and Neoclassicism styles.

Legends and Traditions

The Fonte das Bicas is also a place of popular beliefs. The central basin has three spouts, and the people of Borba believe that each one is intended for a civil status: one for singles, another for married people, and a third for widows. Tradition says that whoever drinks water from any of these spouts will always have a reason to return to Borba. In addition to these, there are also lower spouts, designed for children.

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