Crossing Landmark in Salvador

Category: Civil Architecture > Marker

District: Lisboa > Azambuja > Alcoentre

Location

The São Salvador crossroads landmark is located in the town of Alcoentre, within the municipality of Azambuja, in the district of Lisbon. This monument stands at a point that, throughout history, would have had special relevance as a confluence point for paths. Its presence is discreet but significant, set within the rural landscape of Alcoentre, inviting observation of the surrounding countryside that stretches across this area of Ribatejo.

Its position marks an ancient intersection of routes, where paths once converged and the orientation of travellers was defined. The simplicity of its setting allows for the contemplation of the region's tranquility and natural characteristics.

History and Symbolism

A "crossroads landmark", like that of São Salvador, was traditionally an essential element in the road and territorial network of yesteryear. Although its specific origins may be shrouded in few written references, this type of structure was erected at strategic points in the terrain, serving various purposes. It could mark the confluence of ancient trade routes, connecting paths between settlements or, sometimes, pilgrimage trails.

Its existence symbolizes the importance of communication and orientation in an era when landscape references were crucial for those traversing it. It represents a living memory of the social and economic dynamics that shaped the region, serving as a silent testament to the journeys and lives that passed through it over the centuries.

Structural Characteristics

The São Salvador crossroads landmark exhibits a robustness and functionality that characterize utilitarian constructions. Generally sculpted from stone, its design is refined, focused on durability and its signaling function. It is typically a monolithic structure or one made of superimposed stone blocks, which rises vertically.

Its form can be a pillar, with a solid base and a body that rises without significant ornamentation, demonstrating the mastery in stonework. Its architectural sobriety reflects its practical purpose, serving as an unwavering reference point in the landscape and revealing the construction engineering of the time, serving the community and its itineraries.

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