Baroque Staircase

Category: Civil Architecture > Stairway

District: Faro > Alcoutim > Alcoutim > Alcoutim e Pereiro

Location

Located in the village of Alcoutim, a municipality of the same name, this imposing baroque staircase is a landmark in the urban area of the locality. It serves as a unifying link between the area of the Mother Church and the oldest part of the village, facilitating circulation and naturally integrating into the landscape. Its position offers an interesting perspective on the organization of the space, which has been shaped over the centuries.

A Work of Military Engineering

The Baroque Staircase is a remarkable example of military engineering from the second half of the 17th century and early 18th century. It was conceived and built by engineers with the practical objective of connecting the Mother Church to the rest of the settlement. This urban intervention demonstrates the strategic concern to optimize the connection between key points of the village, reflecting a period of great military activity and reinforcement of border territory defenses.

Style and Harmony

Although it possesses baroque characteristics, the staircase stands out for its aesthetic of disciplined forms, revealing the precision and functionality of its military origin. Its circular design, with a central landing and two flights of stairs that develop in opposite directions, creates a balanced and visually appealing composition. The structure is simultaneously attractive and demonstrates remarkable order, resulting from rigorous execution that aligns with its practical purpose, and echoes solutions adopted in other fortifications, such as the staircase of the Military Barracks of Almeida.

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