Fountain of the Carranca

Category: Civil Architecture > Fountain

District: Lisboa > Sintra > Queluz > Queluz e Belas

Location

The Chafariz da Carranca is located in Queluz, within the urban area of Queluz and Belas, in the municipality of Sintra. Its position is easily identifiable, as it is situated next to the National Palace of Queluz, naturally integrating into the historical surroundings of this locality.

Origin of the Name

This fountain is commonly known as Chafariz da Carranca, but it also appears referenced as Fonte da Pedra Lavrada. Its most common name derives from the carranca, a sculpted face with sometimes grotesque features, from which the water flows. This unique detail gives it a very specific identity and a distinct character.

Historical Context and Style

Dating back to the 18th century, the fountain represents a notable example of late Baroque, a period when architecture and sculpture were distinguished by exuberance and expressiveness. Its conception reflects the taste of the era for public art and the integration of artistic and functional elements into the daily life of the locality.

Architectural Details

The structure of the fountain is marked by a stone basin with a curvilinear design, whose extremities feature an ovoid shape, giving it a smooth and organic silhouette. At its central point, a worked predella stands out, from which emerge pilasters decorated with open volutes. These elements are enriched with detailed vegetal ornamentation, culminating in decorative spheres and framing a shell-shaped niche. The carranca, the distinctive element of the fountain, is inscribed within a circle in the midst of this dense foliage, becoming the focal point of the composition.

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