Buraca Fountain

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Amadora > Amadora > Buraca

Location

The Buraca Fountain is located in the municipality of Amadora, in the Buraca area, integrated into a dynamic urban context. It is strategically positioned next to a section of the historic Aqueduct of the Free Waters, a remarkable feat of 18th-century engineering. The site, formerly known as Calhariz, is situated on a platform slightly lower than Rua da Buraca, bordered by a Portuguese pavement walkway.

Although flanked by traffic routes, this corner retains its own atmosphere, enriched by the proximity of an imposing water house attached to the aqueduct and a small garden preceding the ensemble. The presence of the aqueduct, here pierced by arches that cross the road, underlines its connection to a supply network that extended across several parishes.

Historical Legacy

Dating from 1771, the Buraca Fountain was born out of the need to distribute water to the growing population of Lisbon and its surroundings, serving as a crucial point in the Aqueduct of the Free Waters network. Its construction was authorized by the Junta das Águas Livres, under the auspices of the Marquis of Pombal, and the work was rapidly completed the following year, in 1772. The project was designed by Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, the then second architect of the Junta.

This fountain represents a testament to the advanced urban planning and hydraulic engineering of the 18th century, revealing the concern for public water supply during a period of great development. Its original hydraulic function lasted for decades, with records indicating that the "surplus" water was subsequently granted to a local farm.

Art in Stone

Designed in cut stone from Lioz limestone, the Buraca Fountain exhibits characteristics of late Baroque architecture. Its straight back wall, wider at the base, is flanked by Tuscan pilasters, which support a frieze and a cornice with curves inspired by the Borrominian school. In the center, a carved cushion and cartouche prominently display the royal arms of Dom José I, surmounted by a crown and flanked by shell-like and voluted decorative elements.

The water flowed from a simple cut stone spout, pouring into a small rectangular basin. In front of this, there is a larger basin, of minimal depth, which once created a water mirror effect. Access to the basins is via a cut stone step, evidencing its original functionality. The entire ensemble, including the wall and pavement, is mostly constructed with cut stone blocks, giving it durability and a solid presence in the urban space.

Monument and Memory

The Buraca Fountain is a property of great heritage value, classified as a National Monument since 2002. This classification recognizes its importance not only as a singular architectural piece but also as an integral part of the vast Aqueduct of the Free Waters system, which is itself an ex-libris of Portuguese engineering.

Currently, the fountain, although without its original water distribution function, persists as a historical and cultural landmark in the landscape of Buraca. Its presence invites a pause and reflection on the past and how the city and its infrastructure have developed over the centuries.

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