Royal Fountain of Vendas Novas

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Évora > Vendas Novas > Vendas Novas > Bairro Doutor Luis Manuel da Silva Viana de Sá

Location

Located in the heart of Vendas Novas, in the Doutor Luis Manuel da Silva Viana de Sá neighborhood, the Royal Fountain is integrated into modern urban life. Its location allows for easy discovery for those exploring the municipality, inviting a pause to observe this historical element.

A Royal Work with History

The construction of the Royal Fountain dates back to 1728, by direct order of King John V. Its erection was intrinsically linked to the need to supply water to the many workers, both human and animal, involved in the construction of the magnificent Palácio das Passagens (Passage Palace). This palace, built to host the royal family and court during their travels between Lisbon and the Spanish border, was a landmark that boosted the development of Vendas Novas, which at the time was an area with few scattered dwellings.

Designed to be practical, the fountain utilized a spring of water originating from Monte do Viveiro. In its original form, it featured a central spout for people and two long side reservoirs, intended to quench the thirst of horses and other animals accompanying entourages or used for work.

Witness to Evolutions

Over the centuries, the Royal Fountain was not merely a static structure but a dynamic element that adapted to the transformations of Vendas Novas. Even after the completion of the Palácio das Passagens, it remained the main water supply point for the growing local population, the cavalry that continued to use the palace, and the livestock that ensured the families' livelihood.

With the arrival of the Practical Artillery School, which began to occupy the old Palácio das Passagens, the fountain gained a new function: a side cover with public washing tanks was added to it. This space became a meeting and working point for the village women, who washed the recruits' clothes there, an important contribution to the family economy.

This use remained active for about two hundred years, until the introduction of piped water in the 20th century, which led to its gradual disuse as a daily supply source. Nevertheless, the fountain still hosts some local events and celebrations today, maintaining its symbolic importance in the collective memory of the inhabitants.

A Legend and the Fountain's Water

The Royal Fountain is the protagonist of a popular legend that enriches its history. It is said that D. Miguel, in times of political uncertainty, secretly came to Vendas Novas under the cloak of night to taste a famous tea prepared by a local innkeeper. The secret of this special infusion, according to belief, was not in the herbs, but in the purity of the water that flowed directly from the fountain's spout.

The fame of this water's superior quality endured for generations, with the oldest inhabitants claiming that whoever tasted its crystalline purity would be forever linked to Vendas Novas, or that, if for any reason they left, they would quickly return. It is, however, fundamental for visitors to know that, currently, signage on site warns that the water is unfit for consumption, an important piece of information to consider.

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