Fontinha Water Pumping Station

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Faro > Tavira > Tavira > Vila-A-Dentro

Location

Nestled in Tavira, in the area known as Vila-A-Dentro, the Fontinha Water Pumping Station stands beside the Gilão River, within an urban setting steeped in history. The site is part of a public space that, since time immemorial, has been vital for the city's water supply. Its riverside location offers a tranquil setting, with the landscape of traditional Tavira houses and the river waters completing the scene.

The History of Water in Tavira

This building bears witness to Tavira's long and complex relationship with water. The land where the station now stands was, since the Middle Ages, the site of the old Praça Fountain, a fundamental source for the city's life. Over the centuries, this spring supplied the population, served industries such as grain milling and leather tanning (hence the toponym "Pelames" nearby), and provided water to vessels navigating the river. In the early 20th century, faced with the need for a more robust supply system, the old fountain was complemented by this modern station, a pioneering engineering project for its time, which culminated in its construction around 1930.

Architectural Features

The architecture of the Fontinha Pumping Station is an interesting point of observation. Built of reinforced concrete and cement, the main structure comprises two distinct volumes: the Pump House and the Reservoir. The building combines eclectic influences with elements of functional proto-modernism, also featuring decorative touches from the so-called "Portuguese House," particularly in the tile panels that adorn its facades. The main facade of the Pump House, facing north, reveals a portal with a stone lintel and a tile panel with floral motifs. The quadrangular Reservoir features a discreet dome, and on its eastern facade, an embossed inscription marks its municipal origin.

An Interpretive Space

Currently, the Fontinha Water Pumping Station serves a new purpose as the Interpretive Centre for Water Supply in Tavira. This transformation allows visitors to explore the evolution of water systems in the city and the historical importance of managing this vital resource. Inside, which has maintained its original layout with the Machine Room, visitors can observe the equipment that once ensured water distribution. The space invites reflection on the engineering and daily life of Tavira throughout time, revealing a hydraulic heritage that has shaped the local identity.

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